Confirmation that the Dutch government is allocating 150 million euros to support energy transition in Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten (see related story) is most welcome. The subsidy is specifically aimed at establishing the necessary infrastructure and conditions to professionalise the islands’ energy systems.
It is not intended for direct investment in renewable energy production like wind farms or solar parks. There supposedly already exists sufficient commercial interest for those types of projects.
Perhaps part of the 33.46 million for St. Maarten can nevertheless be used to help realise a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal providing cleaner fuel for local utilities provider GEBE as well as visiting cruise and other ships. Fleets are increasingly switching their engines to this more environment-friendly option also due to international maritime requirements.
With Puerto Rico the closest such facility, that could give Great Bay harbour a leading bunkering role. The Netherlands would be contributing to reducing air pollution not only here, but on a regional and even global scale.
There are no doubt other worthy alternatives, but this is just food for thought.
