Saint Lucia Postpones Groundbreaking Energy Legislation for Additional Evaluation

The government of Saint Lucia has opted to postpone critical legislation aimed at overhauling the nation’s electricity framework. This week, parliament deferred the second reading of the Electricity Supply Bill, intended to be a pivotal element in the country’s renewable energy strategy by opening up the electric generation sector to independent power producers utilizing solar, wind, and other sustainable energy sources.Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King articulated that stakeholders requested additional time to review the intricate draft. He emphasized that the legislation represents a significant milestone that requires careful navigation through parliament, highlighting the government's commitment to transparency and collaborative engagement with the public.LUCELEC, the existing utility provider, will play a crucial role in this transition, maintaining its national grid as the government deems the local market insufficient for multiple grids. This initiative, which traces back to 2013, aims to further develop the independent energy landscape in Saint Lucia. The minister assured that the upcoming discussions would be thorough, as stakeholders have raised additional queries regarding the bill.