Your Environment & Food Security

Achievements: August 2022 – July 2026

Energy, Electricity & the Clean-Energy Transition

1. Subsidised the Fuel Variation Charge for all households in St. Kitts, helping to moderate electricity costs.
2. Invested EC$63.5 million to stabilise electricity prices, including EC$12 million to subsidise gas; purchased two 18 MW hybrid generators for EC$40 million and installed a temporary 6 MW generator to stabilise the grid.
3. Installed a new alternator on a 6 MW generator.
4. Reconnected eligible residential SKELEC customers through the Electricity Arrears RESET.
5. Introduced SOLARISE, a net-billing system that allows solar households to sell excess electricity to the grid at 11 cents per kWh.
6. Applied zero taxes on solar systems until 31 December 2026.
7. Introduced DRIVE, which reduced electric-vehicle import duty from 45% to 10% effective 1 May 2026.
8. Initiated plans for a 50 MW solar plant with battery storage, advanced procurement with Taiwan, and constructed a 70,000-gallon-per-day solar desalination plant.
9. Secured a US$16 million CDB loan guarantee for geothermal drilling, with additional funding assessments from the Saudi Fund and CDB.
10. Launched the SKN 100 carbon-free economy project, finalised regulations for small-scale renewable energy systems, and introduced smart meters to optimise household energy usage.
11. Conducted grid studies, including tariff and EV integration assessments, and developed a “buyback tariff” system enabling solar households to sell excess energy.
12. Launched the Green Energy Transition Demonstration Project, introducing an innovative microgrid at the SKELEC Transmission and Distribution Facility that integrates solar photovoltaic generation, battery storage and advanced energy-management technology.
13. Hosted a National Validation Workshop on adding Electric Vehicles to the Government’s fleet, beginning with Electric School Buses and Charging Stations.
14. Added two electric buses to the Ministry transportation fleet through a donation from the Republic of China (Taiwan).
15. Improved ferry-port infrastructure and implemented a US$4.5 million LED-lighting project to reduce energy consumption.

Water Security & Infrastructure

16. Increased the Water Budget by over 400% and reactivated the previously dormant Water Board.
17. Allocated EC$50 million to address water shortages and ensure water security for St. Kitts and Nevis.
18. Committed to providing a consistent, 24/7 water supply to meet rising demand and mitigate climate change impacts.
19. Began constructing a 1-million-gallon storage tank in Conaree and procured a 200,000-gallon tank for Dieppe Bay.
20. Advanced major desalination projects by integrating desalinated water into the Frigate Bay and Southeast Peninsula systems, constructing the Canada Industrial Site Desalination Plant with the UAE at 700,000 gallons per day, and constructing the Basseterre Desalination Plant at 2 million gallons per day.
21. Advanced a US$40 million Transboundary Water Project through the Green Climate Fund.
22. Identified 17 potential groundwater drilling sites through drone-based geophysical surveys, including priority sites in Saddlers, Sandy Point, Newton Ground, St. Paul’s, Parsons and Dieppe Bay, Tabernacle, Molineux, Cayon and Challengers, as well as additional sites in Belle View, Stone Fort and Old Road.
23. Completed a new well at Cabbage Tree, Cayon, with a safe yield of approximately 436,000 imperial gallons per day, and constructed a 500,000-gallon water tank at White’s, Cayon.
24. Extended water lines, constructed reservoirs and upgraded quarry equipment to enhance water distribution and storage, alongside upgraded catchment infrastructure and water supply management.
25. Introduced the Water Services Department 24/7 Customer Service WATER Hotline and Emergency Crew.
26. Reconnected eligible residential Water Services Department customers through the Water Services RESET.
27. Implemented a pilot grey-water treatment system in Basseterre with Global Environment Facility support.
28. Enhanced public education programmes about water conservation and protection of water sources.

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Security

29. Launched the Sustainable Agriculture for Everyone programme under the 25 by 25 plus 5 agenda, targeting a 25% increase in food production by 2030 and distributing banana, plantain and coconut seedlings to backyard gardeners.
30. Assisted more than 700 farmers with irrigation systems, solar pumps, ground cover and water tanks; distributed 150,000 pineapple slips, 60,000 banana slips and thousands of tomato slips free of cost; and improved land preparation and road access.
31. Recorded crop-production increases of 77% for melons, 52% for peppers, more than 100% for pineapples and more than 50% for cabbage.
32. Installed 17 cold-storage facilities, including two walk-in chillers at Tabernacle and 15 cold containers, and developed an agro-processing unit to convert substandard crops into value-added products.
33. Advanced the Greenhouse Village Project through the establishment of 35 greenhouses at Brotherson Estate.
34. Partnered with Taiwan to establish a farm capable of producing 20,000 laying birds annually, launched a hatchery, initiated broiler production and invested in a poultry slaughtering facility to reduce dependence on approximately EC$20 million in chicken imports.
35. Enhanced pig-breeding programmes, constructed livestock housing and improved fisheries infrastructure, contributing to more than EC$15 million in fisheries revenue.
36. Upgraded the Old Road Fisheries Complex and opened the Old Road Fish Depot.
37. Partnered with Tabasco to secure markets for locally grown peppers and introduced the Tabasco hot-pepper diversification initiative.
38. Established a centralised export marketing agency for farm and seafood goods.
39. Expanded market access for farmers by adding the Public Market to 869ToGo.com, enabling online purchases of locally produced fruits and vegetables.
40. Launched the Regional Economical Agri-Insurance Programme (REAP), in collaboration with Lynch Caribbean Brokers, a major step toward protecting farmers and fishers and strengthening resilience across both sectors.
41. Provided incentives to increase food production by local farmers and fishers, and to attract sustainable projects in agro-industry, manufacturing and services.
42. Equipped 20 farmers with rainwater-harvesting and irrigation equipment to strengthen resilience to climate change.
43. Purchased two new tractors.
44. Commissioned the plant diagnostic laboratory to assist in monitoring and evaluating plant performance, resilience against pests and diseases, and the impact of climate change on crops.
45. Enacted the Plant Protection Act, 2024, modernising the regulation of plant and plant-product movements, strengthening protection against pests and supporting expansion of the agricultural sector.
46. Signed an MOU with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine to advance scientific research and improve public-health standards in the Federation and the wider Caribbean.
47. Signed an MOU between the Ministries responsible for Environment and Agriculture to facilitate use of the Royal Basseterre Valley National Park lands for the Ministry of Agriculture’s Annual Open Day.
48. Strengthened infrastructure, promoted technology adoption, and trained agricultural professionals to build capacity.

Waste, Plastics & the Circular Economy

49. Enacted the Plastic Waste Reduction Act, 2025, establishing a phased ban on single-use plastics, mandating biodegradable alternatives, licensing imports and introducing enforcement penalties.
50. Implemented the phased ban on single-use plastics as a move towards preserving the environment and advancing sustainability.
51. Introduced a licensing system for environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastics, using internationally recognised labelling and environmental standards to prevent greenwashing and verify biodegradable and compostable products.
52. Adopted plastics and environmental-labelling standards including ISO 472, ISO 17088, ASTM D883, ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, ISO 14020, ISO 14021 and ISO 14024.
53. Waived import duties for approved alternatives to single-use plastics for the period January 2025 to December 2027.
54. Expanded recycling capacity at the Conaree landfill through the installation of new equipment, including a baler, to improve solid waste management and enhance the country’s ability to process recyclable materials.
55. Established a Recycling and Packaging Plant in Nevis and launched a pilot plastic-recycling system at the Lowlands landfill through the US$1 million Solid Waste Management and Recycling Project with Taiwan.
56. Expanded public waste-collection coverage to 95% of households and strengthened private collection systems for businesses.
57. Integrated circular-economy principles into the National Development Planning Framework 2023 to 2037.
58. Joined the Regional Coalition on Circular Economy for Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen innovation, knowledge exchange and resource mobilisation.
59. Installed plastic recycling bins in all schools.
60. Conducted annual clean-up events aligned to the SDGs to promote environmental health, including the launch of the Annual National Community Christmas Clean-up Project.

Climate Resilience, Conservation & Sustainability

61. Committed EC$10.2 million to coastal-erosion mitigation and beach enhancement at South Frigate Bay.
62. Approved 60 Global Environment Facility community projects addressing biodiversity, climate adaptation and urban sustainability.
63. Strengthened National Sargassum Management Capacities in the Caribbean Project, with critical equipment and training. Equipment provided included 3 tractors, 2 workboats, dump trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), drone technology for monitoring, and protective gear, helping the Federation transition from reactive cleanups to a more proactive removal strategy.
64. Hosted the 2025 Global Sustainable Islands Summit from 27 to 29 May 2025.
65. Assumed the Chairmanship of the OECS Council of Ministers for Tourism, positioning the Federation to help lead regional tourism coordination and strategic development.
66. Signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and positioned the Federation as a model for sustainable tourism.
67. Introduced the Heart of St. Kitts Sustainability Charter to encourage environmentally responsible practices in the tourism sector.
68. Secured ISO 17025 international accreditation in air quality for the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards.
69. Reviewed and amended laws decriminalising possession and cultivation of marijuana.