The Opposition New National Party (NNP) is clearing the air concerning public statements it says were made by MIT Minister, Andy Williams, via Social Media regarding the Carriacou Solar PV Hybrid/Battery Storage Plant project.
NNP says the statement by Williams is shrouded with multiple misleading and false claims.
These statements fail to present the full facts and timeline of this project’s development.
An NNP release says the project was first announced in January 2018 based on a United Arab Emirates (UAE) grant secured by the then administration.
And, that significant progress was made over the following three years in securing land, getting utility commitments for grid inter-connection, evaluating international tenders, and preparing for construction.
The key milestones and timeline are as follows:
The release outlines what is referred to as key milestones and timelines, involving the announcement of the grant and outlines of the 3.2 million-dollar project up to evaluation of bids when the Nation was struck by Covid-19 in 2020.
The project was scheduled to begin construction in 2021, however, a commitment was needed from Grenlec to inter-connect the project to the Grid in Carriacou which was a pre-condition of the grant from the UAE and that was never given despite being requested since 2018.
February 2021-With the Government repurchase of majority Shares in Grenlec, the commitment to inter-connect the project was secured.
The release says in July 2022: NDC took office and the project sits idle with no explanation.
It says Minister Williams’ statement gives the misleading impression that no progress was made on implementing the project over four years under the NNP, but the facts show something entirely different.
Williams is accused of distorting the truth.
