SVG launches first electric car charging station

In its ongoing thrust to incorporate a greater use of renewable energy locally, the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has launched the country’s first charging station for electric vehicles.

The event took place last Thursday, April 14, at the Administrative Building – where the five kilowatt charging station is installed – and also showcased two fully electric vehicles (Nissan Leaf Tekna and Toyota Prius) that have been imported here.{{more}}

This particular project was conceived by the Energy Unit in the Prime Minister’s Office, with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and support from the Global Environmental Facility.

Explaining that this project is part of an overarching US$1.7 million thrust, UNDP project coordinator Dr Alston Stoddard said that a number of other energy-saving projects will be implemented in the near future that will promote the wider use of renewable energy.

Referring to renewable energy, he asserted: “I have no doubt that this is the technology of the future, and the future is now.”

Stoddard, during his address, also noted that the use of renewable energy not only contributes to lessening climate change/environmental damage, but can also bring about economic savings.

“We, as small island states, are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change…. And so, we have to be concerned about the sustainability of our country… Many of us who used to go to some of the beaches around will attest to the fact that the shoreline has been receding gradually. We have been the recipient of severe storms and other natural events.”

Referring to the economic benefit, the UNDP programme coordinator added: “Every cent matters to us as a small developing country. Every cent we can save is important… “

Stoddard pointed out that generating one megawatt of power requires 17,840 gallons of oil, and that the cost of that oil goes to a foreign source.

“If we can cut down on the amount of oil that we buy from abroad, we can use the excess to provide for the needs of our hospitals and our schools… Households can reduce their costs.”

He added: “The more we have in renewable energy, the less fuel surcharge we are going to pay, and the less we are going to pay at the pump.”

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves was also at the launch, having delivered the feature address.

He reiterated the importance of investing in renewable energy, as fossil fuel emissions contribute “significantly” to climate change.

He also noted that small island developing states, such as SVG, are the most “adversely affected” on a global scale – even though they contribute the least to the greenhouse gas emissions.

“If you do not have a sensible compelling policy in relation to energy, you really can’t talk about development, because whatever we do in our modern, sophisticated world, we require a lot of energy,” said Gonsalves.

“We are at the mercy of the producers and distributors of fuel, diesel, gasoline and the like.”

The Prime Minister further pointed out that in order to be able to take to task the bigger countries that contribute the most to greenhouse gas emissions, the smaller islands have to first set the example in their own policies and actions.

“We can’t lecture the United States of America and Europe and China and India about their greenhouse gas emissions and their over-reliance on fossil fuel without we ourselves demonstrating, day to day, that we have a stake in this business – for ourselves in our small islands and as part of the global community.”

Gonsalves also explained that along with the necessary action plans for investing in and implementing renewable energy projects locally, there also needs to be accompanying policy framework to guide the process.

During his address, he also spoke of progress made in other projects, such as hydro-power, geothermal energy and other such renewable energy initiatives.

With approximately 20 per cent of SVG’s power currently being generated by hydro-power, Gonsalves asserted that by 2019 his administration intends to source over 80 per cent of the country’s power from renewable energy.

He also emphasized the financial savings that can be gained from incorporating renewable energy sources – citing a saving of over $15,000 per month in the electricity bill at the Administrative Building.

Director of the Energy Unit Ellsworth Dacon also made a brief presentation, highlighting the benefits and challenges associated with renewable energy.

Dacon opined: “I hope that this vehicle is viewed not just as a wonder, but also illustrates a market shift in the transportation sector, and also represents a sustainable movement in the energy industry and the commitment by the Government to increase economic development.” (JSV)