Nicholas Pushes Back on Opposition’s ‘Unlimited Rooftop Solar’ Proposal, Warns of Risks to APUA

Information Technology Minister Melford Nicholas pushed back during the Budget Debate against the Opposition’s call to allow households to install large, unrestricted rooftop solar systems, arguing that such a policy would destabilise the electricity grid and undermine APUA’s ability to operate.

Nicholas said the Leader of the Opposition had promoted a policy that would permit homeowners to install as much solar generation as they wished, including systems in the 25 to 30 kilowatt range.

He described that approach as financially unsound, pointing out that APUA remains bound by a long-term agreement with Antigua Power Company until 2031 and must maintain a stable grid that can meet national demand at all hours.

He noted that approximately two-thirds of APUA’s revenue is spent on fuel purchases for electricity generation. Under those circumstances, he argued, a sudden surge of oversized private solar systems feeding inconsistent power into the grid could leave the utility unable to cover its financial obligations.

Nicholas raised the scenario of heavy daytime solar input followed by sharp drops at night, saying the utility must still maintain full generation capacity for periods when sunlight is unavailable.

As an alternative to what he described as a “reckless” approach, Nicholas laid out the government’s structured plan for renewable-energy deployment.

He said APUA has already moved to allow households to install rooftop systems of up to 5 kilowatts, including inverter and battery storage, as part of an orderly transition designed to protect the grid while giving consumers access to clean energy.

He stressed that the 5kW cap was not arbitrary but based on technical assessments and the need to maintain reliability.

Nicholas said the government is also pursuing utility-scale green-energy projects to complement the controlled rollout of home systems. He referenced Antigua and Barbuda’s engagement with the International Solar Alliance and discussions involving access to development financing through the Green Climate Fund.

According to him, the goal is to establish a utility-led renewable-energy platform that can reduce fossil-fuel dependence while preserving APUA’s financial stability.

He highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that Antigua’s electricity system requires close to $200 million in fuel each year and that meaningful relief on electricity bills can only come from long-term structural shifts in how power is generated.

Nicholas pointed to Barbuda’s experience, where fuel savings from renewable integration have already produced measurable benefits, and he said similar results would be possible across Antigua once utility-scale generation is expanded.

Nicholas framed the government’s strategy as a balance between encouraging household participation in renewable energy and ensuring the national grid remains financially and technically secure. He said the mix of controlled rooftop installations and large-scale clean-energy investments is the only realistic path to a stable and sustainable energy future.

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