Nevis' wind farm which is run by Wind Watt has been putting out 1.6 to 2.2 megawatts of electricity power into Nevis's electrical way and saving consumers on fuel surcharge.

Hon. Dwight Cozier of the Nevis Island Administration, believes his Government would be receptive to assist the Virgin Islands with dealing with renewable energy.

In a recent visit to the Virgin Islands, Nevis Islands Administration Minister Honourable Dwight Cozier revealed to Virgin Islands News Online in an exclusive interview of the benefits that the island has been reaping from its wind farm and ongoing plans to develop geothermal energy source to further add to the islands independence from oil.

The Minister with responsibility for Trade and Industry, Consumer Affairs and Import and Export Control, when questioned as to whether his Government would be receptive to assist the Virgin Islands in its quest to implement renewable energy, said he believes they would be and would welcome any proposal in relation to offering such assistance.

“The minister who is in charge of energy, Minister Carlyle Powell, he has himself gone worldwide in regards to promotion of geo-terminal and wind energy, in his efforts to harness these two sources of energy. His attitude is a very open one when it comes to discussions to development. If this is something that the government (Virgin Islands) is interested in, I will certainly relay that to him and the Premier and of course I believe they would welcome any proposal in relation to that for assistance,” said Hon. Cozier, who also added that the private company Wind Watt which runs the wind farm would also have to give its approval.

He further added that the VI government, he believes, will do well to seek whatever guidance they can and Nevis will be happy to assist.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier of the Virgin Islands Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering had recommended on February 22, 2012 at the Greening the Economy; Sustainable Development Seminar that the VI should introduce renewable energy by first powering the entire island of Anegada as part of a phased approach and it could be used as a case study to determine if renewable energy is feasible for the rest of the VI.

More recently, Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool had visited Spain where he explored the option of renewable energy there, looking at one of the country’s largest solar power provider. The Government has also expressed committed to the introduction of policy that will encourage the use of renewable energy.

Hon. Cozier said he would recommend alternative energy to any country on earth as in his view it is the way to go.

In addition, he said alternative energy initiatives that is taken by any country should consider an alternative energy mix. “Whatever is unique to your country, whether it is wind, solar or geothermal, the efforts to develop that resource must be paramount in the fight to get alternative energy independence. If you find yourself with more than one talent, find yourself with win, geothermal, with solar, blend them to have an alternative energy mix,” he said adding that oil should not be ruled out completely but be used as a backup.

According to the outspoken Nevis Minister, he shares the view that oil is an addiction to those countries that are dependent on it.

“We are trying to reduce the dependence on oil. We feel that oil is sort of an addiction. Former US President George Bush said the US is addicted to oil… It is true for not only the US but almost every nation that is dependent on oil except for Brazil and Iceland and those that have gone into alternative energy. It is something that I would recommend for any country to move away from the high and escalating cost of oil.”

The Nevis wind farm was commissioned in 2010, and the savings deduced from the farm is anywhere between 10 to 15 percent to consumers.

“The wind farm put outs 1.6 to 2.2 megawatts of electricity power into Nevis electrical way, we are beginning to save on fuel surcharge,” Cozier said.

Generally, the Island pulls about 5-5 to 6.3 megawatts of base load power and peak load between 8.5 to 9.1 megawatts which means the rest of the power is still sustained by oil while the grid is also sustained by oil.

He said according to one study, it showed that each consumer is saving about 11 cents reduction per kilowatt hour. “If we say we are saving about 11 EC cents, it could be translated to be about 4 cents US. It doesn’t sound like a big saving as yet but when you add it up it does make a difference.”

Commenting on the island’s investment in alternative energy, the minister said it is a good investment and while the only fear was that of noise pollution, he said the sound from the farm is hardly audible.

Mr. Cozier said Nevis is also hoping to build on its success from the wind farm and implement its geothermal initiative. And while that project has been faced with some set backs which he claimed came from “opposition interruption”, he said the administration is working with the developers and the bank and hopes to iron out the kinks, and between the next 18 to 24 months, he believes the island will be able to turn on the switch for geothermal energy.

In addition, he said Nevis is hoping to generate a capacity to supply both St. Kitts and Nevis, with some 10 megawatts for Nevis and 30 for St. Kitts which are the islands' maximum energy needs.

“We are not being frivolous with our plans with geothermal energy, our Premier has adopted a very conservative plan to this and adamant that resources will develop and both islands will benefit,” he said noting that the Nevis Premier is probably the first Premier of Nevis to have such a close relationship with the federal Government in St. Kitts.