The government is rolling out several renewable energy projects across Anguilla aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels and increasing sustainable clean power.
The initiatives include a solar power installation at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, electric vehicle charging stations and solar-powered street lighting.
Utilities minister Jose Vanterpool gave an update on the progress of the projects during a government press conference on 24 November.
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He said plans are ongoing for the supply, installation and design of a photovoltaic (PV) system at the hospital, which is expected to reduce power costs by 52%.
“This investment is expected to pay itself off within the first five years of its operation and provide a 398 positive return on investment over the 25 year expected lifespan of the infrastructure,” he said.
In an earlier press conference on 10 November, Vanterpool said the decision came following an internal investigation to determine how to best optimise government energy use.
“We have determined that the hospital is the first government institution which we would like to place a specific focus on in order to maximise our return on investment,” he said at the time.
The minister said the hospital’s electricity bills had been analysed for the five months from July to November and the total was EC$832,500 or an average of $166,500 per month.
In the recent press conference, Vanterpool went on to say that approval has also been granted for the procurement of 10 electric charging stations for electric vehicles.
“The ministry is currently in the process of identifying strategic locations across the island for their deployment for both government and public use,” he said.
“The locations identified… would be strategic and they will include high traffic locations as well as our ports of entry.”
Finally, the ministry is securing 50 solar street lights and “a number of” LED lights that will be installed throughout the island in an effort to brighten up darker areas, the minister said.
In February, the government added electric vehicles to its fleet for the first time in an effort to promote sustainability and reduce emissions.
The two cars were handed over by Electric Dream Cars during a ceremony as part of the Anguilla Renewable Energy Programme (AREP).
