Opening remarks were made by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works Mr Oaklyn Peets. Mr Peets referred to the exercise as pleasurable and significant as it symbolised the culmination of a journey which started in 2004; and encapsulated the essence of a remarkable achievement by the Ministry of Public Utilities and the St Kitts & Nevis government.
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Mr Nelson Camacho, Charge d’Affaires of Venezuela to St Kitts & Nevis
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Mr Nelson Camacho, Charge d’Affaires of Venezuela to St Kitts & Nevis in addressing the gathering, revealed that 294,000 US gallons of diesel would be provided every 10 days to St Kitts & Nevis.
Some financing terms were also unveiled; “financing can reach 50% of the supply in a period of up to 25 years, including a 2yr grace period at a 1% interest rate”. Mr Camacho also touched on the ALBA Caribe Fund which was created to finance social projects in each member country; “the 90 million dollar fund has already given 10 million dollars to the government of St Kitts & Nevis toward the construction of housing for former workers of the Sugar Industry” he said.
Mr Luis Rivas – Managing Director PDVSA (PetroCaribe) addressed the gathering in Spanish, Mr Alexander Nikolic gave a translation shortly after where he said this launch would not have been possible, if not for the determined political will and interest of our governments (St Kitts & Nevis and Venezuela) to fortify and advance the links of integration and unity, in order to reach the sustained development of our people in a complementary , solid and reciprocal cooperation.
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Mr Alexander Nikolic
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In his address Key Note Speaker, Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Denzil Douglas echoed the sentiments of PS Oaklyn Peets saying that he felt today was the culmination of a very long journey which began in June 2005 when the Energy Cooperation Agreement was signed following the 1st meeting of Heads of States of Caribbean countries of Petrocaribe.
Prime Minister Douglas recognised SOL because their offer of acceptance to provide adequate storage in the short and medium terms had eliminated one of the greatest setbacks to the actualisation of this initiative.
He also revealed, that the Venezuelan government working through Mr Luis Rivas and Mr Alexander Nikolic committed to construct a Storage Tank Farm across the harbour to his right.
He revealed that bids had already been received and that construction could start as early as the end of December to provide our own Storage Farm, with storage capacity of:- 2-12000HFO (heavy fuel oil) tanks, 1-5000 jet aviation fuel tank, 2-5000 gasoline tanks, 1-2140 LPG tank and 1-5000 gal water tank at Fort Pine, additionally 1-12000gal diesel tank at Needsmust Power station.
He revealed that the PDV St Kitts & Nevis Ltd had already been incorporated and that the joint venture company were in the process of setting up office in Central street, and that the operation would be fully staffed to take charge of fuel importation and distribution logistics. Prime Minister Douglas identified several upcoming projects including the Mandarin Oriental and the Ritz Carlton, all of which he said will require a reliable and sustained power supply which the government must seek to produce in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Primer Minister Douglas informed those gathered that Energy Task Force created after the last election and headed up by Min. Of State, responsible for Sustainable Development, Hon. Nigel Carty had updated the government 3 weeks ago with their findings as concerns renewable energy and thanked the OAS, other US government agencies and the Brazilian government for their assistance in this regard. Research proposals on Biomass, Wind, Solar, Ethanol, Geothermal energy had been put to cabinet and that the process of drafting a new energy policy had begun. ~~Adz:Right~~
The cargo fuel that was delivered by Ocean Breeze to these tanks across from my right will have a multiplier effect and provide the appropriate catalyst to drive infrastructural development and create opportunities for social advancement within our communities,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said the Needsmust Power Plant uses 575 barrels of diesel per day, which is 17,250 per month.“This has increased following the commissioning of the new 4 megawatt generator and will increase even further following the receipt and commissioning of the second new generator to be delivered within 3 weeks time. This country will always be lighted,” said Dr. Douglas.
Petrocaribe is an Energy Cooperation Agreement, which is based on solidarity support proposed by the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela intended to overcome the disparities with regard to access to energy resources. This agreement aims to establish a new favourable, equal and just exchange scheme between the countries of the Caribbean region, most of them without a State-controlled supply of these resources.
