Water and Energy Policy issues in Saint Lucia
Prepared by Sarah Leon
Economist
Department of Planning and National Development-Saint Lucia
Outline of presentation
 Profile of Water and Energy sectors in Saint Lucia
 Institutional and Regulatory in those sectors
 Broad Policy issues in those sectors
 Initiatives under implementation in those sectors
 Areas for further work - Water and Energy sectors
 Conclusion
Profile of Energy Sector
 Energy sector is not unlike other Caribbean countries -
high dependence on imported fossil fuel
 Sector is dominated by electricity and transportation
 High electrification rate of 98 %
 Price of electricity in 2013 ranged from
 US$0.34 /kWh for domestic users
 US$0.39/Kwh for commercial consumers and hotels
Profile of Energy sector-sub sectors
Renewable Energy
 The Government has set a target of 30 % of electricity
generated by 2020 to be derived from renewables
 Island possesses significant potential for the
developments of solar, wind, geothermal and biomass
energy.
 Hydropower and waste-to-energy are also viable
options that can be explored
 Solar energy is in use for heating water and a small
percentage of photovoltaic.
Profile of Energy Sector-Sub sectors
Solar
 solar energy can be used for
both electricity generation and
heating.
 Solar water heating holds
much scope for use in both the
domestic and hotel sectors in
particular
 Solar Dynamics and Solar
Connection ( St Luca) Inc are
solar companies in St Lucia
Profile of Energy Sector-Sub sectors
Wind energy
 Saint Lucia lies in the path of north-
easterly trade wind belts
 These reliable winds create a good wind
regime for wind energy exploitation
 The best wind sites can be found on the
east coast and on the northern and
southern tips of the island.
 GoSL along with Wind Tex Energy
constructed a test tower Wind Tower in
east Coast of St Lucia to collect wind data
toward construction of a 12 MW wind
farm on the Island ( April 2015)
Profile of Energy Sector-sub sectors
Geothermal
 considered to be a viable
alternative for electricity
generation
 Most of the volcanic activity on
the island is concentrated in the
south-west part in the town of
Soufriere
 Geothermal energy is expected
to provide a significant and
reliable energy source for Saint
Lucia in the near future
Profile of Energy Sector-sub sectors
Hydro Electricity
 The island’s rivers are quite small,
there is some potential for mini
hydro power applications, which
can be used in the agricultural
industry
 Preliminary research has also
suggested that the John Compton
Dam could be used to produce
electricity.
Profile of Energy Sector-sub sectors
Biomass and waste to energy
 Consideration is also being given to the development of
biomass energy especially from plant and animal materials
 there is also an opportunity for waste to energy potential
of the country-incineration or gasification of Waste. Eg the
Deglos Sanitary landfill
Recycled Cooking and motor oil is another alternative
form of energy currently being used by a
leading linen Company , St Lucia Linen Services
Ltd
Profile of Water sector
 Saint Lucia’s potable water requirements are met
through surface run-off collected from (28) intake
sources and the John Compton Dam.
 Available supply of surface water, after run-off, is
estimated to be 7 billion gallons per annum or 20
million gallons per day
 Water and Sewerage Company Ltd. (WASCO), a
public corporation, is responsible for the provision of
portable water
Profile of Water sector
 (4) major water supply systems (WSS):
 the John Compton Dam/Theobalds Plant WSS
 Hill 20 WSS(in the north of the island)
 Grace Woodlands System WSS and
 Beausejour WSS (in the south)
 (19) minor water supply systems.
Profile of Water sector
 The John Compton Dam
system has a production
capacity of 45,500 cubic
meters per day
 Hill 20 System 5,915 cubic
meters per day
 Grace Woodlands System
7,735 cubic meters per
day
Institutional and Regulatory Framework –
Water Sector
:
 WRMA - The Water Resource Management Agency
established in 2008, forms part of the MSDEST. This
agency is committed to the management of Saint Lucia’s
water resources adhering strongly to the principles of
integrated water resources management.
 NWSC -The National Water and Sewerage Commission
is a regulatory agency which is responsible for regulating
the delivery of water supply services and sewerage
services throughout St. Lucia. Established under the
Water and Sewerage Act of 2005.
Institutional and Regulatory Framework
– Water Sector
Other Players –
 The Forestry Department of the (MSDEST)Ministry of
Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology

Watershed management, Protection forest soil and water
 Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health,
Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations,

Water quality
 National Conservation Authority beaches
Management of public parks and
National Water Policy
 Saint Lucia National Water Policy (2004 ) is driven by a vision
of the future in which all users of water resources
appreciate the value of water as fragile, finite and
seeks to ensure access to safe secure adequate and
affordable supply of fresh water.
Objectives of the Policy
 To foster the adoption of an integrated approach to the management of
water resources
 To enable people to lead healthier and more productive lives through
improved management of water resources
 To increase and sustain the contribution made by water resources to
the development of the agriculture and industrial sectors,
environmental sustainability and the conservation of biological
diversity
Water Policy cont’d
The policy addresses the following areas:

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

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Promoting integrated water resource management
Strengthening human resource capacity
Promoting effective water pollution prevention and control
Establishing equitable and efficient allocation and pricing
mechanisms
Water for health and sanitation, agriculture and food
Financing the provision and maintenance of water and
sanitation services
Strengthening institutional capacity for monitoring,
surveillance and management
Increasing private sector ownership and participation
National Energy Policy
 In June 2010, the Cabinet of Saint Lucia approved the
official National Energy Policy (NEP). The policy
provides :
 For private participation in electricity generation,
 Encourages the establishment of small-scale renewable
energy systems
 Proposes the establishment of an Independent
Regulatory Commission for the electricity sector
 For the creation of an enabling environment, both
regulatory and institutional for the introduction of
indigenous renewable energy to the national energy mix
Institutional and Regulatory Framework
– Energy Sector
 The island’s electricity market is dominated by
LUCELEC which is the sole electricity provider
(transmission and distribution)
 LUCELEC operates power stations equipped with
diesel generators
 The Electricity Supply Act (1964 Power Supply Regulation)
provides LUCELEC with an exclusive license to operate
and to be the sole provider of electricity till 2045
Energy & Water Sector Policy
Issues
GoSL Broad Policy issues
Policy Issues
Water and
Energy:
• Lower cost of energy to reduction
costs for tourism, manufacturing,
construction sectors
• Climate Adaptation and Disaster
Risk
• Quality and Security of Water
Resources
• Improved Regulatory
Environment
Other Policy Issues
 WASCO lacks the financing required to re-
capitalize its physical plant and expand its
distribution network, making it difficult to provide a
regular, high quality supply of water to communities around the
island.
A tariff increase of 66.15% granted by the NWSC in April, 2013
(10.43% - desilting JCD, 55.72%- WASCO operations)
 Mountainous terrain of the island WASCO
spends a significant amount of money on energy
cost to pump water island wide (68) pumps, $870, 274.53
mthly
 Regulatory biases or absence of regulations to
Other Policy Issues
 High transaction costs and limited fiscal incentives for the
purchase of energy efficient equipment
 High initial costs of energy efficient technologies coupled with
lack of access to credit acts as a deterrent
 Lack of a revised energy efficiency building code which limits
Government efforts to put measures in place to encourage energy
efficiency in new and existing buildings.
 Inadequate institutional capacity for some aspects of renewable
energy project/program design, development, and implementation
 Rapid population increases and high rates of urbanization has
led to Increased pollution of fresh water resources, and increase
demand on the water supply
Other Policy Issues
 Climate change led disasters have led to
compromised water resources ( John
Compton Damn 33% silt)
 Waste water/ Sewage disposal remains a
concern, Castries region the sewage
system only collects and disposes of
sewage into the harbor,limited treatment
is done,
 13 % use sewage system
 7 % use no facility
 majority use pit/ latrine to dispose of
sewage.
 The island has a few sewage treatment
plants which are underutilized. (
National Water Policy)
Other Policy Issues
 The present water demands exceed the water supply.
 The JCD is designed to pump at least 10MG of water a day to the treatment plant,
 records only 6-7MGs at the station
 approximately 3-4 MGs of unaccounted for water (UWF) and may be due to
aged/faulty pipelines.
 The revised regulation (1994) is expected to stipulate that the LUCELEC
long-term expansion plan take into account renewable energy projects
 Saint Lucia does not have an independent electricity regulator . The
Minister with responsibility for energy can intervene at a policy level to
regulate the actions of LUCELEC. {although there are plans to put one in place}
Other Policy Issues
 The national water policy requires an update- it does not
specifically address challenges associated with climate
change; it also does not recognize the existence and role of the
WRMA since it only became functional in November
2008. (NWRM)
 Threats to water quality are not being adequately
addressed due to the need for revision of legislation (both
the Water and Sewerage Act and the Public Health Act)
 Need for provision of resources for the entities/depts.
responsible for environmental protection and public health.
Issues Cont’d
 No national policy on waste water management exists
however one will be developed under the Disaster
Vulnerability Project (with funding from the World Bank)
 Inadequate institutional capacity for some aspects of
renewable energy project/program design, development,
and implementation
 Rapid population increases and high rates of
urbanization has led to Increased pollution of fresh water
resources, and increase demand on the water supply
Initiatives Under Implementation
 Desilting of the John Compton Dam – Removal of the large
quantities of silt deposited in the reservoir due to the passage of
Hurricane Tomas and the upgrading of the road
 Re-development of the Water Supply in Vieux-Fort and
Dennery – to improve the supply of water to these communities
 Water Supply Development at Micoud - this project will
involve the construction of a clarifier and a filter at the Micoud
Water Treatment Plant.
Initiatives Under Implementation
 Retrofitting of government buildings with LED Lights
 Revision of the Legislative Framework to support supply of
Alternative Energy
 Wind Energy - Wind farm constructed on the Island April 2015 (
West Tex)
 National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC) a multisector independent regulator to regulate and monitor the water and
electricity sectors is being established .
A First Draft of the Bill was presented on 26th February, 2014 to stakeholders
Initiatives Under Implementation
 LED Street Lighting
The Government has reviewed a pilot LED street lighting initiative and
has realized savings. The intention of government is to have all existing
lighting replaced by LED technology.
 Transportation Sector
The import duties on electric, hybrid and sustainable fuel
vehicles have been revised to provide an incentive for purchasing of
more efficient vehicle technologies.
 Revision of the Electricity Supply Act 1994 is currently
being updated to facilitate a more competitive environment.
Areas for Further work –Future Projects:
 Solar Farm Project of 3.2MW in collaboration with Lucelec
 Wind Farm Project of 12MW in collaboration with Lucelec and
Private Developer
 Geothermal Exploration and Studies within the next two years with
assistance from Government of New Zealand and World Bank.
 Solar Drying Initiative to assist the Agriculture Department in the
use of Renewable Energy Resources
 Biogas Digesters Initiative to assist the Agriculture Department in
the use of Renewable Energy Resources.
 Development of Energy Efficiency Bill
 Optimization of the meteorological and hydrological monitoring
network through the procurement of equipment by WRMA
Conclusion
 Currently, Saint Lucia is in the process of completing the
National Development Plan (NDP). Climate Change
impacts and adaptation will be mainstreamed into the
process.
 Green and Blue economy concepts will also be
integrated into the process. A Scoping Study which will
allow for the development of a Green Economy Policy
Document to guide decision makers has been completed.
Thank you for your attention.