Montserrat Renewable Energy Project A Monumental Step Toward Sustainability
Brades, Montserrat– April 24, 2019 — Today, the Ministry of Communications, Works, Labour and Energy (MCWLE) and Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL) officially announce the first utility scale renewable energy project in the form of a rooftop solar project across several structures in Brades.
The solar photovoltaic (PV) project is the first phase of two planned renewable energy projects to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel for power generation on Montserrat. The rooftop solar project will provide 10% of the grid’s peak daytime demand. The second phase of the project will consist of an additional 750 kilowatts of solar and 250kW/hr battery storage, which will collectively provide 40% of Montserrat’s daytime peak electrical load.
As outlined in “The Power to Change – Montserrat Energy Policy 2016 – 2030 (MEP 2016-2030)”, these solar PV projects are a monumental step towards achieving Montserrat’s vision of 100% renewable energy grid penetration.
The Hon. Minister Paul Lewis of Ministry Communications, Works, Energy and Labour says “the implementation of the utility scale 1MW solar project at its completion will represent a significant step toward 100% renewable energy penetration on the grid through this single project. This is the first step towards achieving our vision and target for Montserrat to reach 100% renewable energy. It’s a great feeling to introduce clean, sustainable and resilient solar energy to the Montserrat renewable energy mix. It is with much appreciation and gratitude I extend on my own behalf and that of the Government of Montserrat to the staff of Ministry Communications, Works, Energy and Labour, the staff of Ministry of Finance and MUL. The project was made possible with great support from CARICOM Energy Unit / GIZ -RITA project and Rocky Mountain Institute.”
Funding for this project was provided by the European Union’s EDF-10 grant. Rocky Mountain Institute served as an independent energy advisor and supported the preliminary design, project preparation and project management.
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Government of Montserrat: Honourable Paul Lewis, MCWL, Tel: 1-664-491-2521/22, Email: lewisp@gov.ms
Montserrat Utilities Limited: Kendall Lee, St John’s, Tel: 1-664-491-2527, Email: kendall.lee@mul.ms
Rocky Mountain Institute: Nick Steel, New York, Tel: +1 347-574-0887, Email: nsteel@rmi.org
About the Ministry of Communications, Works and Labour – Government of Montserrat
The Ministry of Communications, Works and Labour (MCWL) is one of four ministries of the Government of Montserrat. Energy also falls under the responsibility of MCWL. The Government of Montserrat Energy Unit was formally established in the 2017/18 financial year as a key component to the Montserrat Energy Transition.
About Montserrat Utilities Limited
Montserrat Utilities Ltd was formed through the merger of the existing electricity (Monlec) and water (MWA) utilities. On completion of the merger process, MUL acquired all the assets, liabilities, duties and privileges of the predecessor organisations, and began operation under new legislation (the Utility Act). MUL therefore became an umbrella company for the predecessor organizations, Montserrat Electricity Services Ltd. and Montserrat Water Authority, which continue to be responsible for electricity and water on Montserrat.
About Rocky Mountain Institute
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)—an independent nonprofit founded in 1982—transforms global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon future. It engages businesses, communities, institutions, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the adoption of market-based solutions that cost-effectively shift from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.