Saint Lucia Electricity Services Ltd. (LUCELEC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a major renewable energy project.

It is LUCELEC’s intention to construct a 3.2 megawatt solar power plant to be located in La Tourney, Vieux Fort.

LUCELEC Managing Director, Trevor Louisy, said the initiative will form an integral part of the future of energy in Saint Lucia.

“The RFP for the three-megawatt-generating facility will initiate a process where we will be inviting proposals from potential suppliers or bidders for the facility. It will be advertised internationally. The document was developed by the Carbon War Room and DNV GL who are part of the team working on the national energy transitioning strategy. It is part of the support being provided to the Government of Saint Lucia.”

Minister for Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Sen. Hon. Dr. James Fletcher welcomed the solar plant as a transformative resource for Saint Lucia.

“We very excited to be associated with this. I look forward to the completion of the few lingering issues with the developing control authority. They have already given approval in principle and I am looking forward in the next few weeks to the publication of the RFP and hopefully very soon, seeing panels going underground in Vieux-Fort for this solar plant. Maybe finally we will be able to fulfill the promise of Vieux-Fort being the industrial frontier of Saint Lucia.”

The intention is to have at least one megawatt of solar power commissioned by the end of 2016, with the remaining two megawatts added subsequently.