The Government of Saint Lucia has partnered with international developers to explore the island’s potential for clean energy sources to supplement the county’s energy use.

According to Sen. Hon. Dr. James Fletcher, Minister for Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, officials are hopeful for the possibly of harnessing natural energy sources to achieve a target of 24.5 megawatts of renewable energy.

“We are focusing on a combination of renewable energy sources, with wind being one of them,” Dr. Fletcher said. “We are in advanced discussions with a developer who will—hopefully within the next two months—erect a test tower along the east coast to gather data for a period of approximately one year, to determine the suitability of that location for a 12 megawatt wind farm.”

In addition to wind energy the government is also exploring the possibility for geothermal energy which, Dr. Fletcher said, is expected to be the more significant source that will help meet the 24.5 megawatt clean energy objective.

“We have lined up with one of the foremost and most reputable geothermal developers in the world to develop a geothermal resource on the sulphur springs,” he added. “There are a few issues that have to be resolved and for that we have received excellent support from development partners like the Clinton Climate Initiative, the World Bank, and also the New Zealand Government.”

Saint Lucia has secured USD$2 million in grant funding towards this initiative from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the SIDS-DOCK Support Program.