Energy

What progress has Anguilla made towards energy independence?  As a result of a

question asked in the House of Commons, Minister Chris Bryant (who appears still to be Minister for the Overseas Territories) tells us some interesting new information about ourselves.

We learn with interest from the Minister's statement that:

There has been the formal Establishment of the Anguilla National Energy Committee under the Department of Environment;

We have a draft National Energy Policy which has been verbally endorsed by the GO A. This is expected to be formalised by 1 December 2009;

A renewable Energy Co-ordinator, supported by OTEP funding (Overseas Territories Environment Programme, a joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development fund), has been retained and is currently working to promote the goals of the Draft National Energy Policy;

Funds have been raised through the GOA (EC$ 500,000) and OTEP (£100,000) for the establishment of the Anguilla Renewable Energy Office;

A National Energy Committee covers high-level international consultancy, data collection and data analysis;

A business plan has been developed for a special entity currently called "RECorp" which will establish and operate a first phase 2-3 megawatt wind farm under a power-purchase agreement with ANGLEC, Anguilla's sole electrical utility.

It would appear that to learn about government policies and developments in Anguilla, you must go to foggy London. 

I calculate that amounts to $1 million for the establishment of the office.  Someone must be working in very plush surroundings!

Has anyone out there in the public seen the alleged business plan?