The opposition Lucian Peoples Movement (LPM) has appealed to St Lucians to think seriously about the island’s future and to engage in a national conversation which focuses on identifying alternate and renewable energy sources on the island.
The party was reacting to the recent debate in St Lucia about fuel prices.
The LPM said that at a time when most African nations and other developing countries were seeking to lessen their dependence on gasolene through the exploration of the use of biofuels and solar energy, as well as the production of electricity by hydroelectric generators, Saint Lucians must ensure that they were not locked out of an important global conversation and trend in favour of producing non-oil energy.
In reference to a planned march by the United Workers Party against the recent fuel rates announced by the government, the LPM said Saint Lucians must know how to say “no to politicians who seek to place their political ambitions ahead of the country’s national interest, yet are unwilling to offer a comprehensive development plan for the country or a set of ideas geared towards ending our dependence on gasolene, improving our economy, and addressing the alarming rate of unemployment in our country”.
It termed the UWP march scheduled for this Thursday afternoon an “opportunistic adventure” designed to distract and mislead, but said the government of Saint Lucia was not without blame.
“The government’s callous disregard for and the denial of the extent to which Saint Lucians are currently hurting, have not only demoralised the spirit of the people but may also have created an avenue enabling “vulture organisations”, such as the UWP, to capitalise on the politics of gasolene..
The LPM argued that even if the government should accede to the UWP’s demand for a further reduction in the cost of a gallon of gasolene, this would still fail to address the central problem—finding a way to effectively reduce Saint Lucia’s overdependence on gasolene and other fuel by-products before the next fuel price adjustment on April 5, 2015.
A couple years back, I read that China had some how produced LOWER cost solar arrays for the residential /commercial markets. As a result a major western player in the solar array burgeoning market was threatening stiff tariffs on these Chinese arrays to nullify their lower costs…hmmmmmmm?
I will wager that whatever tech/engineering marvel that the giant Panda -as in continental China- can produce; the little David-as in Taiwan can refine to austere levels!
Therefore, why not explore the established friendships i n the Orient for a viable contract to purchase solar arrays-at non profit margins.
Perhaps a production deal could be worked out where a part of the assembly/production module could be completed /fabricated in St.Lucia utilizing available local tech/engineering talents.
I do recall that Taiwan had negotiated with the US for a similar deal when it bought squadrons of F-16 Fighting Falcons -back in the day.
The govt could start with all public buildings (incl schools). Imagine all that linear acreage of roof lines on top and even sides of our modern schools; harnessing the free energy of RA.
A new and more rigorous permit authority to govern design and zoning for private residential consumers will be needed.
This is too long overdue and requires input from scientists, orgs, and stakeholders-not just bureaucrats as usual.
LPM is the most-forward thinking political group in Saint Lucia. However, its thinking is way beyond the vast majority of the population. Hence, it tends to talk above the heads of most Saint Lucians. Those who hear may not understand. Those who understand will not be persuaded because it is much more comfortable to listen to the worn-out foolish and economic bankrupt ideas like NICE and STEP.
Alternative energy has been on the cards since the OPEC oil crises started in the 1970s. Serially and absent failed leadership has marked our progress regarding energy since independence.
The population has never had — in its entire history — anyone with the intellectual capacity who has been able to articulate a position on “paper independence” as that bronze statue depicts, with energy independence, and even far less, energy and food security. Real national independence issues. If you do not recognise that there is a problem, it would take some act of miraculous serendipity to solve it.
Today, some are lamentably just only coming to realisation that the symbolic manipulation of a flag, or a national anthem. no longer, if ever, cuts it. They, in George Odlum’s words “… do not bring home the bacon”.
to the above, China doesn’t create a great deal, it manufactures what it is sent to make, by the companies in the west, who have come up with the idea and IP in the first place. Their education system favours rote learning over creative thinking.
Solar is the real deal though. From my understanding it’s mainly the battery capacity that is holding it up, but i think St Lucia will benefit in the next ten years. It will revolutionise everything because most people’s biggest cost is energy.
Why do you think they would use labour in st Lucia? Do you know how they get to make things so cheap?