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It would be fair to say I was one of the more outspoken critics to GEBE's plans to purchase 24mw of new generator capacity last year. So it's a little gratifying to finally see GEBE on the front page of the Today defending itself and it's $32 million mistake.

Mistake? Yes, I consider it a mistake and really bad planning, par for the course for the recently resigned Roy. Oil prices are not going to be coming down, they are going to keep climbing at a steady pace and we are totally and completely reliant upon it.

The solutions to our planet's energy needs will come from a variety of sources, wind, solar, wave, geo thermal, bio fuels and others just now being thought of, plus a comprehensive range of energy saving and conservation technologies and ideas. Here in SXM we have a government that has derided and scorned conservation and environmental ideas as restrictions upon their blinkered view that progress is all about construction and economic growth. It is blinkered because the island is only 17 sq miles and this path leads to a dead end. Progress can be measured in many other ways.

There was a plan to link the surrounding islands grids once, haven't heard anything about it since.

Plan to connect islands’ four electricity plants ~St. Maarten, St. Martin, Anguilla sign MOU - 11th April 2006

I made this photo video last year about the plan to buy generators. I believe the $32 million invested in purchasing them would have been much better invested in this scheme (linking) and other cleaner and renewable energy projects, such as leasing roof space for solar etc. But we have a government that approved the building of an airport that doesn't even collect rain water, a government that can't even plan to phase out and ban plastic bags. A government that put the dump in the middle of the main town, that is years late in planning concerning our waste, including our sewage.

St. Maarten doesn't have 'leaders', at least not in this government. In my opinion of course. :)

The news from the past couple months on this issue are below, including the idiot plans to reduce excise and govt subsidies to help with fuel price rises, indicating a failure in some of the so called 'powers that be' to really have a comprehension of the issue and the future the World is facing. I've argued in the past that instead of reducing prices, they should have kept them the same and invested the extra money in alternative energies. All they did is reduce their ability to plan for the future and increase the impact on the public when prices eventually went up again, which it was clear as day they would.

Caribdude

News...

Today O & C - Gas Tax - 13th June 2008

Exco to send Gas Tax reduction proposal - 12th June 2008

French side wants 50% renewable power - 12th June 2008

Today O & C - Green GEBE - 11th June 2008

Saba close to launching geothermal project - 11th June 2008

GEBE explores all options, committed to diesel - 11th June 2008

Geo thermal energy company wants to supply SXM - 9th June 2008

SXM must invest in solar and wind - 9th June 2008

Today O & C - Doomsday - 9th June 2008

Gibson on Gas - 9th June 2008