The government of Grenada is calling on the international community to make good on commitments to assist Small Island Developing States to meet renewable energy targets.
Grenada’s Energy Minister Gregory Bowen spoke frankly as he addressed a high-level ministerial meeting on Small Island Developing States on Friday, during the Tenth Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly.
Bowen said it was his duty to point out the “hindrances that we face,” making reference to Grenada and other states in the Caribbean Community.
He said further investment in renewable energy requires noting the economic burden on the various small island states, particularly in respect of the price of energy.
“The price of energy to our respective populations, domestic and commercial, must be lower than what it is,” he insisted.
But the minister said this cannot be achieved if promises are made to SIDS and are not kept.
“The big sums promised by the developing countries, we have seen where it’s going, it’s not being collected and it’s not being paid,” Bowen told the IRENA Assembly.
He said it’s a matter that he’s already raised with the international agencies and states, which he did not name.
“At the levels of the small island states we’ve confronted the powers that be and it’s still continuing,” Bowen said.
“I am hoping that the learned members of the platform will take heed to this.”
Grenada has set long term targets to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy and Bowen said this is possible through investments in geothermal energy.
“However the expenses in investment [are] significantly high [and].storage will an added cost,” he added.
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