2014 Annual Report

Annual Report of the Minister for the Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy Science & Technology
during intensive weather conditions. The Department
is also making significant progress with its wildlife protection
programme through an Invasive Alien Species
reduction project.
The Water Resources Management Agency boasts
several achievements in the development of a comprehensive
hydrology network linked to early warning
systems. A study identified Castries (Marchand) as the
most vulnerable area to flooding, followed by Anse
La Raye. The Agency conducted research work on
groundwater, identifying six potential wells. It also developed
an inventory on wastewater sites, thus singling
out vulnerable watersheds and determining hotspots.
The Energy, Science and Technology Unit has made
significant strides in managing and facilitating the introduction
of renewable energy into the energy mix in
Saint Lucia. This has resulted in the commencement of
negotiations in earnest with both geothermal and wind
developers, after careful scrutiny, due diligence and
thorough technical support from several international
agencies.
The Public Utilities Department has worked closely
with the Energy, Science and Technology Unit and the
Legal Officer, particularly with respect to the setting up
of the National Utilities Regulatory Commission. This
required reviews of issues related to licensing for water,
fee schedules, and the necessary amendments to
the Water and Sewerage Act consequent to the establishment
of the Commission as an umbrella regulatory
agency. Support was also provided to the proposed
Eastern Caribbean Energy Regulatory Authority
(ECERA) project, which seeks to set up a regional regulatory
body for energy.
The Public Utilities Department was also involved in
the PetroCaribe initiative by leading the negotiations
with the Venezuelan Government on a new model bilateral
agreement for the purchase of fuel from Venezuela.
From there, the parties were able to move towards
verifying gas specifications to inform the sales
contract and negotiations with traditional regional suppliers
of petroleum.
In the area of Science and Technology; tourism, agriculture
and manufacturing were identified as priority
areas for focus after a series of national consultations
and assessments. This has resulted in the drafting of a
Science and Technology Policy for Saint Lucia.
The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy,
Science and Technology continues to remain true to its
Strategic Plan, despite the fact that this plan is still under
active review. That notwithstanding, it is clear that
this new Ministry is maturing and beginning to operate
more and more as a single, cohesive unit. Despite
the many challenges faced during the year, the Ministry
continues to strive to achieve the goals that it has set
for itself and for our country.
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