PM Douglas (center) at FAO Confernece
Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
June 04, 2008 (CUOPM)
The development of bioenergy and other alternative forms are of critical importance to St. Kitts and Nevis.
So says St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Sustainable Development, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, who told a high level conference on World Food Security at the FAO Headquarters in Italy on Tuesday that the twin-island Federation has developed an energy strategy that is intended to help promote and contribute to the sustainable development of the country.
“Consequently we are seeking to develop indigenous sources and fuel substitution in the generation of electricity and transportation fuels. The use of biomass for energy generation is one area that is under active consideration. However our aim is to ensure that such biomass use is sustainable and does not adversely effect domestic food production,” Prime Minister Douglas told the several Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers and experts.
He said his governing St. Kitts – Nevis Labour Party Administration has given approval in principle for a biomass (cane grass) project as well as the establishment of a wind farm.
Much attention he said is currently being paid on the development of a geothermal project for electricity generation while the use of solar energy is also under active consideration.
The St. Kitts and Nevis leader said there is no doubt that the escalating price of fossil fuel has impacted negatively on food security, while there is continued debate about the effects of bioenergy.
He noted that bioenergy has been defined as energy produced from biomass such as energy crops, forestry residues and organic wastes and currently much attention is being paid to the production of liquid biofuels, mainly ethanol and biodiesel.
The biofuels are mainly produced from food crops and are used for transport. Ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane and maize while the production of biodiesel is from rapeseed but also palm oil and soyabean oil. The growing biofuel market is driving up commodity and food prices and represents a new source of demand for agricultural commodities.