G. A. Dwyer Astaphan, Lawyer, Social Activist, Former Tourism minister in St. Kitts-Nevis (file photo)
Social activist and former government mp Dwyer Astaphan is again speaking out against what has been described as an ill-advised solar farm partnership between the government and Swiss company Leclanche that will see the build-out of a $70 million microgrid solar farm.
According to lLeclanche, upon completion, the St. Kitts project will be the largest solar generation and energy storage system in the Caribbean and a model for other island nations worldwide. In its first year of operation, the system is expected to generate approximately 61,300 MWh of electricity with a 41,500 metric ton reduction of CO2 emissions.
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Honorable Timothy Harris has described the venture as a visionary project.
Astaphan has however described this project, which is being built in St. Kitts’ Basseterre Valley on a 102-acre plot of government-owned land and which will see Leclanche having ownership for more than 50% of the arrangement, as selling out the birthright of nationals. He maintains that the project has to be nationalized.
Astaphan explained that for a long time the measure by which we determine the wealth and wellbeing of a nation has been skewed and underscored the importance of critical thinking.