SVG to save diesel $$ with Argyle solar plant

This country will save close to half a million dollars every year in diesel fees, thanks to the solar plant in Argyle.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in a press conference last Monday, announced that the solar plant at the Argyle International Airport went live on June 15.

“The project will provide sufficient energy to power 480 homes on a daily basis and save close to 46,000 gallons of diesel per year. At an average cost of $10,000 per gallon, this amounts to $460,000 worth of diesel is saved by what we have out there,” the prime minister said.

He explained that the energy produced by the solar farm will go into the national grid, while the international airport would receive some of the benefits from the project initially, and full benefits at a later date.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

Gonsalves said the St Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC) is in charge of the plant.

The prime minister also said that the project is being financed by a concessionary loan from the CARICOM Development Fund and the United Nations sponsored project, Promoting Access to Clean Energy Services (PACES).

But he revealed that conversations were ongoing for the loan from the CARICOM Development Fund to be transformed into a grant.