23 August 2016 | Comments
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
A draft Energy Strategy has been developed for St Helena with the primary aim to increase the Island’s use of renewable energy, through a mixed model of harvesting natural resources, as well as supporting the use of greener products on the Island. Energy has an impact on all areas of life, and becoming energy self-sufficient was one of the issues raised during consultation on the Island’s Ten Year Plan.
Councillor Pamela Ward Pearce explains:
“This is a much needed strategy which will enable the Island to explore ways of providing renewable and efficient energy that will be beneficial, both to St Helena by reducing fuel poverty, and the rest of the world by being less reliant on fossil fuels.”
Energy affects social mobility, fuel poverty, economic growth and the environment. Through partnership work with Connect Saint Helena Ltd good progress has been made in terms of renewable energy – with 28.8% of all energy used in 2015/16 coming from renewable sources. But more can be done to achieve a future state where the Island is using 100% renewable energy.
St Helena Government will lead and drive this objective with the support of existing and new stakeholders learning from other successful developments.
The intention of the Energy Strategy is for St Helena to become 100% self-sufficient through renewable energy by 1 April 2022. This will be achieved through the following:
- A mixed model of energy production and storage
- A targeted strategy to reduce demand through greener more efficient products and practices, which will include electric vehicles
- To reduce energy costs for the community including all public, private and NGO entities
- To contribute to the global drive on climate change and the reduction in fossil fuel use
- To communicate the benefit and opportunities of renewable energy and efficient energy use
- Establish St Helena as a leader in this field and enhance our tourism credentials
The draft Energy Strategy is now out for public consultation and members of the public are encouraged to view the draft and submit any comments to Andrea Mittens at the Castle on tel: 22470 or email andrea.mittens@sainthelena.gov.sh by no later than 4pm on Tuesday 20 September 2016.
Hard copies of the draft Energy Strategy are available from the Customer Service Centre and the Public Library in Jamestown. It can also be found on the SHG website under the Public Consultation section of the Publications page at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications/ *
*Direct Link – https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/St-Helena-Government-Energy-Strategy-DRAFT.pdf
SHG
23 August 2016
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