Antigua — Less than a week after the release of the draft National Energy Policy in Antigua and Barbuda for stakeholder feedback, the US State Department has approved grant funding for the installation of a solar/PV system at Shirley Heights Lookout.
The funding will be provided through the Energy Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), which was launched by US President Barack Obama during the Summit of the Americas hosted by Trinidad and Tobago in 2009.
The Shirley Heights project was among seven projects approved under the ECPA Caribbean Initiative. Officials from the Organization of American States Department of Sustainable Development, which is tasked with implementing ECPA, reported that 23 projects were submitted for consideration.
In addition to funding the Shirley Heights project, the ECPA Caribbean Initiative will be providing technical assistance for the restructuring of the electricity sector to accommodate the introduction of renewable energy technology.
The Shirley Heights project concept was developed in consultation with the National Parks Authority and the Managing Director of Shirley Heights Lookout. Dr. Reg Murphy will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the system to be installed preserves the heritage buildings.
The weekly barbecue and party at Shirley Heights Lookout is a focal point in the island’s tourism product. The view of the harbour from Lookout is also one of the most photographed sites. It is anticipated that the installation of the solar/PV system will provide an interesting addition to the narrative provided by tour guides and taxi drivers.
In addition to the positive impact that it will have on the country’s tourism product, this project will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions since the facility, which is not included on the APUA grid, is currently run exclusively on a diesel generator. Therefore, the project will contribute to Antigua and Barbuda’s realization of its climate change mitigation commitments.
