Geothermal power delayed

Nevisian plans to officially begin tapping into the island’s geothermal energy by December of this year have suffered a setback.

The Island Administration in Charlestown says the company behind the project, West Indies Power, has asked for more time to work on the project, and that an extension has been granted. The authorities now say the new date for the delivery of geothermal energy to Nevis is June of next year – 2011. Nevis expects to cut the cost of its electricity supply to consumers by switching to geothermal energy.

Renewable energy appeal

Vincentian Science and Technology Minister, Jerrol Thompson, has challenged regional utility companies to work collectively in the region’s quest for alternative sources of energy. Thompson said the Vincentian government was firm on the prospects of renewable energy.

He called on key officials of utility companies throughout the Caribbean to share experiences and work together towards “this common goal”.

The minister said Caribbean utility companies had not over the years shown a genuine interest in renewable energy.

He singled out the Nevis geothermal project as one of the few examples.