Goverment of St Kitts and Nevis Launches National Roadmap Initiative to Achieve Energy Independence and Strengthen Climate Resilience

Basseterre, Saint Kitts (SKNIS): The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis has taken a major step toward achieving its ambitious goal of 100 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2030 with the launch of a consultative workshop to develop a comprehensive Renewable Energy Transition Roadmap for the Federation.

The two-day workshop, which opened on Wednesday, June 03, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, is being led by the Energy Unit within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities. The initiative is funded by the European Union through the EUROCLIMA Caribbean Programme and is being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Greening the Islands Foundation (GTI).

The project is designed to strengthen the technical, institutional, and strategic foundations necessary for Saint Kitts and Nevis to achieve its national climate commitment of reducing economy-wide carbon emissions by 61 percent by 2030 compared to 2010 levels, while advancing the Federation’s vision of becoming a fully renewable energy-powered nation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, General Manager of the St. Kitts Electricity Company Ltd. (SKELEC), Clement “Jomo” Williams, noted that the project goes far beyond the production of a report and will deliver a comprehensive assessment of the country’s electricity sector, including renewable energy potential, demand forecasting, grid upgrade requirements, financing strategies, policy frameworks, and stakeholder priorities.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, the Honourable Konris Maynard, described the launch as a defining moment in the Federation’s pursuit of energy independence.

“The consultancy will develop a roadmap for modernising our electricity generation, transmission, and distribution systems, ensuring that they are ready to support a future that is reliable, affordable, resilient, and powered by our own renewable energy resources,” Minister Maynard stated.

The minister underscored the urgency of reducing the country’s reliance on imported diesel fuel, noting that more than 90 per cent of electricity generation currently depends on imported fossil fuels.

“Despite our abundant natural resources, our energy future remains tied to events beyond our shores. That clearly is not sustainable,” he said while noting that the Federation has vast renewable energy potential, including solar, wind, and geothermal resources.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that renewable energy expansion is supported by modern infrastructure and sound technical planning.

“The transition to a clean energy future cannot be guided by assumptions. It must be guided by evidence, engineering excellence, rigorous economic analysis, and sound policy planning,” Minister Maynard stated. “The roadmap developed through this consultancy will provide the data, modelling, and recommendations needed to ensure that our transition is both ambitious and practical.”

The workshop forms part of a broader portfolio of energy transformation projects currently being pursued by the government and reinforces Saint Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to sustainable development, climate resilience, and a low-carbon future.