On May 31st, 2024, fourteen Scholarship and Apprenticeship Program recipients of the Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Transport’s Renewable Energy Sector Development Project (RESDP), embarked on an educational field trip to several critical renewable energy sites in St. Lucia. They were accompanied by Mr. Kendal Numa, Assistant Lecturer of the Electrical and Electronics Department at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), and members of the Project Implementation Unit of the RESDP.
The RESDP is aimed at reducing St. Lucia’s dependence on fossil fuels by conducting geothermal exploration drilling to determine if there is a viable geothermal resource of suitable quality to pursue the establishment of a geothermal power plant.
As part of the project, scholarships and apprenticeships, financed by the Canada Clean Energy and Forests Climate Facility, have been awarded to female SALCC students pursuing studies related to the energy sector.
To enhance their knowledge on current renewable energy projects being undertaken on island, the group visited the Owen King Hospital, the LUCELEC Solar Farm in Vieux-Fort, and three drilling sites in Saltibus, Belle-Plaine, and Belvedere, Fond St. Jacques.
The first stop was at the Owen King Hospital, where the group explored the operations of the hospital’s solar panel system. The tour provided an in-depth look at how solar photovoltaic systems are utilized to generate electricity, offering students valuable insights into sustainable energy practices.
Next, the group visited the LUCELEC Solar Farm in Vieux-Fort, where representatives from the Engineering Department provided a comprehensive tour, explaining the operations of the solar panels, the energy conversion process, and the benefits of solar power in reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. This interactive session allowed students to gain practical insights into the technical aspects and challenges of large-scale solar energy projects.
The final stops were at the drilling sites in Saltibus, Belle-Plaine, and Belvedere. Here, representatives from the RESDP discussed the social and environmental impacts of the drilling operations, enhancing students’ understanding of the complexities involved in renewable energy projects.
This field trip, organized by the RESDP, aimed to enhance students’ understanding of renewable energy practices and their environmental impacts. By visiting operational renewable energy sites, students
gained firsthand knowledge of the infrastructure and technological advancements in solar energy production.
Mr. Dominic Alexander, Social Development and Safeguards Officer of the RESDP, emphasized the importance of bridging theoretical learning with real-world applications. “This trip provided students with a unique opportunity to see the real-world practicality of their current studies and was an experience that will undoubtedly enrich their academic and professional pursuits. This activity was a fulfilled promise of the Department of Infrastructure to continue to support our scholarship awardees on their academic journey.”