Grenada power company exploring 100% renewables
GRENADA Electricity Services (GRENLEC) wants to power the country entirely with renewable energy sources.
Its board has authorised the company’s management to evaluate options for “expanding renewable generation up to 100 per cent of all the electricity generated in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique”.
A review of GRENLEC’s strategic plan identified potential wind farms for Carriacou and Grenada, a solar-wind hybrid for Petite Martinique, and geothermal energy as possible developments over the next five years.
The utility’s board also authorised the completion of a 2.2 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) solar plant, similar to that recently launched in Petite Martinique, according to GRENLEC Chairman Bob Blanchard .
“We have been working for some time on finalising land issues and permitting,” he said. “Implementing our strategy will utilise the quickest and most
reliable renewable energy technology and involve a number of electrical system upgrades to produce improved reliability and power quality while reducing line losses, among other benefits.”
Expansion of renewable energy in the eastern Caribbean country aims to stabilise and utlimately lower the price of electricity in Grenada.
“Obviously, as we look at optimising our generation mix for sustainability and price, we must also consider all options including geothermal, natural gas, propane and other alternatives as part of an overall strategy,” said Blanchard.
GRENLEC is the sole provider of electricity to the state of Grenada, comprised of the islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Since 1960, the company has been providing integrated services of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to citizens of the East Caribbean nation.
Today, the company serves more than 44,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers and has risen to the challenge of providing safe and reliable service to the people of Grenada by investing in its employees, business and the community.