Geothermal is an option for Dutch Caribbean territories
Cruise ships at St. Maarten island, Caribbean territory of the Netherlands (source: flickr/ gobucks2, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
25 Jun 2012
The Dutch Caribbean overseas territories St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba are exploring renewable energy options, including geothermal energy working with a French company.
In reports on renewable energy development in the Caribbean oversea territories of the Netherlands, it is reported that geothermal energy is considered an option for St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and Saba.
In collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation the islands administrations are currently working on wind development.
“Each island will have its own utility company. In order to create affordable tariff plans both Saba and St. Eustatius decided to explore alternative energy production. That includes building the wind farm and exploring using geothermal energy. A Memorandum of Understanding with a French company is being drafted in order to explore the possibilities for geothermal energy.
That move represents a shift away from talks with Nevis based West Indies Power Nevis Limited. Continuing the exploration for using geothermal energy is also in line with the fact that TNO did research in Saba on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. There has also been a feasibility study on wind energy.
But Sneek’s point about using alternative energy is not just about generating energy at affordable rates. It’s also about investment and improving the broader infrastructure.
“In these two options for alternative energy lies great opportunity for private investment as well. Other yet unexplored possibilities lie in the area of solar energy and in a waste to energy project.
The latter becomes more and more relevant as a solution needs to be found for the increasing waste problem on our island,” Sneek said at the recently held Carkine Business Summit in the Netherlands.
Later he’d add, “The infrastructure on Statia leaves much to desire although steps forward are being made. Examples for this are the nearly completed water distribution network, which is expected to connect 90% of all households to potable water, and the establishment of a fibre optic cable, which will connect the island to the outer world.”
Source: Today Newspaper St. Maarten
