St. Kitts – Nevis Moves Forward With Belle Vue Wind Farm Plans

Mark Tippett – North Star CEO and Founder

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
June 17, 2013 (CUOPM)

Representatives of North Star are currently on St. Kitts to move forward plans to implement a wind farm at Belle Vue.

“The next step is for the GOSKN and North Star to finalize a handful of open items that can be concluded in only a few days with the dedicated efforts of GOSKN and North Star representatives.  Our representatives are on island now and will remain until these negotiations are concluded. The project will then move to financial closing and then construction,” said Mark Tippett, Founder and CEO.

He disclosed that during the meeting with Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas in New York, last week, the Prime Minister took the time to explain the importance of the wind project in his Government’s overall energy plans and initiatives, emphasizing that this wind project is only one part of a long-term plan to increase power generation and decrease the cost of electricity.

“North Star is in total agreement with the Prime Minister’s initiatives and agrees that the wind project is an important first step. The Belle Vue Wind Farm represents a small portion of the island’s overall energy needs, but it’s a critical demonstration of the Government’s long-term commitment to energy cost reductions both through lower-cost renewables and also through very important conservation initiatives. North Star is anxious to deliver on this project for the benefit of the people of St. Kitts,” said Mr. Tippett.

Cabinet proposed some refinement on pricing terms that were analyzed by North Star and, in a meeting with the Prime Minister on June 9th, 2013, North Star communicated that they are in agreement with Cabinet’s pricing proposal.

He pointed out that following very informative and productive Cabinet presentations in March and April of 2013, North Star received, what can only be described as a positive development in the Governments renewable energy initiatives.

Mr. Tippett said the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is of the view of significant benefits to be had from implementing the Belle Vue Wind Farm and encouraged North Star to finalize its negotiations with the Government.