The Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) has called on the government to adopt key changes to the draft Electricity Bill and emphasised the importance of affordable and sustainable energy for national development and the island’s critical tourism sector.
Speaking on behalf of the SLHTA, CEO Noorani Azeez said the association has formally submitted recommendations to policymakers following a comprehensive review.
“We have written officially to the policymakers and we have extended our appreciation for the fact that we have now been given another round of opportunity as a private sector to opine on it and to make recommendations,” Azeez stated.
He added that the SLHTA examined a wide range of regional models and best practices in formulating its proposals.
Azeez highlighted that the association’s recommendations focus on deregulating the electricity industry to allow businesses and consumers to produce their own power.
“The issue of demonopolising the industry, allowing operators to produce energy, the volumes that they need, but ensuring that the existing providers of energy are assured of a safe space within that operating ecosystem is important to us,” he said. “We’ve advocated for a win-win.”
He further explained the potential benefits for operators.
“Globally, the cost of the equipment for the technologies is falling. Operators, given the opportunity to seize the opportunity to reduce their operating costs now, allow them a lot more flexibility with what they can do with saved finances in terms of investing and divesting,” Azeez noted.
He emphasised that the SLHTA studied destinations where similar models have succeeded and proposed improvements tailored to Saint Lucia’s energy ecosystem.
The SLHTA stressed that implementing these changes could not only make electricity more affordable and sustainable for households and businesses but also strengthen the island’s tourism and investment landscape, ensuring long-term economic resilience.