A young enterprising Anguillian, Mr Fabian Lewis, is embarking on a solar energy project which can be of immense cost-cutting proportions to consumers switching from ANGLEC to his system when that need arises. He is currently engaged in introducing his service to the island in partnership with the parent company, Solar Connections, St Lucia.
His affiliate company, Solar Connections Anguilla, is located at the Caribbean Commercial Complex where he held a press launch on Thursday, February 6.
“Solar Connections Anguilla is trying to do three things: reduce our carbon footprints, and it is all about going green and keeping Anguilla clean,” he told reporters. “Secondly, the exorbitant cost that we are paying for fossil fuel, which is petroleum and diesel that we use in our [ANGLEC] generators, is about twenty million US dollars a year. If we can reduce that, we can save on our foreign currency because the money that is spent on fossil fuel goes into the Sheiks’ pockets. This is money we can have and keep in our economy. Thirdly, the business community is feeling the pinch of the high cost of doing business and this is overpowering when paying your electricity bill.
“It is the single most money grabber in any business. I think that Solar Connections right now can offer you some relief in that area. The solar system comes in two parts: where you can have it direct or you can use batteries. Because batteries are expensive, that element is a little prohibitive. However, what we are going to be offering is called the 84-80 solar power-sharing model. It is where, between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm, when we have maximum sunlight in Anguilla, and the rest of the Caribbean, we will take you off the [ANGLEC] grid and reduce your consumption by 80 percent. In a nutshell, that is what Solar Connections aims to be: the power provider for small and even large businesses. I think that timing is everything in life, and now is the time for this type of business to thrive in Anguilla.”
Mr Lewis explained that the power-sharing model does not mean that persons with solar connections would be taken off ANGLEC’s grid one hundred percent. But during the key period, when persons consume most of their energy, they would be on solar power which is free once the customers bought the equipment which has a life-span of 25 years.
Asked about the legal ramifications involved in the process, Mr Lewis said that in order for solar energy to be supplied in Anguilla, there has to be legislation. He noted, however, that it was pending – not having yet been passed into law. “It will call for some agreements with ANGLEC to buy back the excess power from suppliers,” he added. “I believe ANGLEC should be part and parcel of this power-sharing element of reducing our carbon footprint. I don’t think we are trying to outdo ANGLEC. I believe they should be a partner in providing some relief for the people of Anguilla.”
Mr Carlton Pickering, Executive Director of the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said his organisation was delighted to see one of its newest members, Solar Connections Anguilla, open its new business. “We at the Chamber are encouraging our young entrepreneurs in starting businesses, and we are happy to see that the area in which Mr Lewis has chosen to venture into is one of need right now not only in Anguilla, but across the Caribbean,” Pickering said. “Alternative energy is one of the foremost things that the Chamber is looking forward to, and we will have discussions with the Government this year…so that our electricity bill can be reduced. We are paying twenty million dollars annually to buy fossil fuel and if we can reduce that bill, some of our money can go to areas like .ai Incubator at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School in helping our young people to develop creative skills, by being innovative in business and thus becoming young entrepreneurs on the island.
“We are happy that Mr Lewis has come forward with this initiative and we are encouraging all the businesses that are part of the Chamber, and also householders, to check out what is happening at Solar Connections Anguilla that can help you to reduce your electricity bill,” Mr Pickering added.
