The second day of meetings with the Non-State Actors Advisory Panel is about to begin. Yesterday, was a full day dedicated to presentations and discussion around thematic areas such as corporate social responsibility, investment, ICT4D and of course, energy.
Today, the group will be working together to provide input into project ideas for an action plan that will supplement the The Alternative Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy for Grenada. This strategy is important, because the current development paradigm (at the international financial institutions, at least) places a great deal of emphasis on Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs). These are supposed to be 'home-grown' strategies developed by countries that outline the Nations own strategic development plans. The Non-State Actors Advsiory Panel is financially supported by the 10th European Development Fund (10th EDF) and it is a mandated requirement for the 10th EDF Budget Support (The European Union is now providing Official Development Assistance through budget support - but that's a whole other posting to explain!). The emphasis on local ownership is in part, a corrective measure from the era of Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) of the 1980's and early 1990's that 'un-developed' a lot of countries due to the high level of outside influence on country development strategies. SAPs were focused on creating a favourable global investment climate that included devaluing local currencies to attract foreign investment, and cutting social spending. It was an appauling experiment in development that came with a high price tag for people and the environment.
So now, we have PRSP's serving as our global development rennaisance. Is it working? In Grenada's case, the country's official PRSP has not been published, so it's hard to tell. But if the Alternative PRSP developed by the Non-State Actors Panel gets any traction, it could be quite successful here. The Strategy applies critical development theory to practical local circumstances, and that is a good foundation for developing a practical action plan. It also has created a participatory forum for non-state actors to actively participate in development planning.
In yesterday's meeting, the most exciting contribution came from Dennis Noel, who owns a company called "Noelville" which makes a hugely successful pain relief product called "nutmed" produced with nutmeg oil. His proposal to the group was for us to focus on developing Grenada's herbal products and emphasize pharmaceudical research and development that would enable us to develop pharma products in Grenada for export to the world market. That's the kind of practical, forward thinking approach that can transform the nation if we all get behind it!
I explained the Grenada Hotel and Tourism's 'Earth Day Declaration' to the group; so that they might be informed of what private sector stakeholders are planning to do with respect to renewable energy. It wasn't clear whether the facilitator understood that our intention was to garner their endorsement, rather than asking them to take up our agenda. Needless to say that can be cleared up today.
I am quite proud of the fact that Grenada's private sector as a whole is ready to embrace sustainability and I think it is really important to blow that trumpet as often as possible, because if ALL of civil society can get behind a vision and own it, Grenada's development future is certain to be more prosperous and sustainable.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Where There's A Will - There's A Way
The Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association Members (GHTA) were treated to a presentation by Ethical Ideas (me!), titled "Grenada's Sustainable Tourism Future" last evening at the True Blue Bay Resort. The presentation outlined what we have done to-date, such as defining, voting upon and circulating the GHTA Earth Day Declaration. The presentation also profiled some of the things we are learning such as:
Converting to renewable (solar) energy isn't as easy as it sounds.....
The cost of setting up individual solar systems is one problem - because the electricity rates offered by the local utility GRENLEC are so low, commercial financing options are not viable. Grant funds are available but they take a long time to obtain and will not be sufficient to cover individual properties if the grants are obtained with a 'small project' fund. There is also the challenge of maintaining grid stability, which apparently could be affected if a bunch of properties started generating large quantities of solar power. It's starting to look like we'll need a feasibility study if we have systems put on hotel roof's, and it's not even clear if is this is the right way to go yet.
It may be wiser to look at National renewable solutions instead.......
This isn't set in stone of course, but it does look like the more practical route would be to convert ALL OF GRENADA to renewable energy. I've been told by a very reliable expert that the most cost-effective option for national conversion would be to aim for 70% renewable with a diesel back-up system. There's technical reasons for this (That are beyond my understanding!) that are apparently very costly to solve if we want to go 100% solar. Based on expert input, a national conversion would cost about $90 million USD! That's a lot of money!!! But...
Where there's a will, there's a way!
So, the Members have been given a briefing on where we're at, what I plan to do to keep the ball rolling in the right direction and we press onwards!!! The Grenlec Marketing Manager was present at the Members Meeting yesterday and the Members sure gave her a hard time, expressing frustration at the high electricity prices and arguing that it is in no-one's interest to be one of the most expensive countries in the world for electricity prices. I looked up figures for that argument today and found that indeed - Grenada is among the top 10 countries in the world for high electricity prices. The only country I could find with higher electricity rates was Tonga.
Converting to renewable (solar) energy isn't as easy as it sounds.....
The cost of setting up individual solar systems is one problem - because the electricity rates offered by the local utility GRENLEC are so low, commercial financing options are not viable. Grant funds are available but they take a long time to obtain and will not be sufficient to cover individual properties if the grants are obtained with a 'small project' fund. There is also the challenge of maintaining grid stability, which apparently could be affected if a bunch of properties started generating large quantities of solar power. It's starting to look like we'll need a feasibility study if we have systems put on hotel roof's, and it's not even clear if is this is the right way to go yet.
It may be wiser to look at National renewable solutions instead.......
This isn't set in stone of course, but it does look like the more practical route would be to convert ALL OF GRENADA to renewable energy. I've been told by a very reliable expert that the most cost-effective option for national conversion would be to aim for 70% renewable with a diesel back-up system. There's technical reasons for this (That are beyond my understanding!) that are apparently very costly to solve if we want to go 100% solar. Based on expert input, a national conversion would cost about $90 million USD! That's a lot of money!!! But...
Where there's a will, there's a way!
So, the Members have been given a briefing on where we're at, what I plan to do to keep the ball rolling in the right direction and we press onwards!!! The Grenlec Marketing Manager was present at the Members Meeting yesterday and the Members sure gave her a hard time, expressing frustration at the high electricity prices and arguing that it is in no-one's interest to be one of the most expensive countries in the world for electricity prices. I looked up figures for that argument today and found that indeed - Grenada is among the top 10 countries in the world for high electricity prices. The only country I could find with higher electricity rates was Tonga.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Background for Grenada's Hotels Zero Carbon & Energy Liberalization Campaign
It's an ambition that is being pursued against the backdrop of a business community that has encountered more than its fair share of challenges in recent years. Eight years ago, over 90% of Grenada's homes and hotels (buildings of all types, really) were destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. Imagine a small island state where over 90% of the buildings have literally been stripped to their foundations! The reconstruction process did provide jobs for the local populace, but the owners and operators of the hotels lost a lot of money while their properties were out of business as they rebuilt.
Grenadian business people are resilient, and despite their losses, many used the devastation as an opportunity to upgrade their properties, including environmental retrofits (which will be profiled on this blog later). But then, just as the hotels climbed out of rebuilding after the hurricane, the global economic recession hit and pummelled tourism and Grenada's economy. In 2009 Grenada economy contracted by nearly 8% and it hasn't grown above 1.4% since.
Seems like an usual time for hotels to be worrying about the environment doesn't it?
Well according to the President of the Board of Directors for Grenada's Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA), Grenada's hotels endure more than hurricanes and recessions - they also endure the world's highest energy prices (Grenada being among the top ten). Renewable energy provides the opportunity to reduce those costs, as well as to revitalize the nation's tourism sector as it responds to the growing environmental conscience of their customers.
So, with the help of Ethical Ideas, the GHTA is pursing a zero carbon future and energy liberalization. We have a lot of supporters already and I am very confident we will achieve the goal. Watch this space as I post updates on what we're doing and how we're progressing!
Grenadian business people are resilient, and despite their losses, many used the devastation as an opportunity to upgrade their properties, including environmental retrofits (which will be profiled on this blog later). But then, just as the hotels climbed out of rebuilding after the hurricane, the global economic recession hit and pummelled tourism and Grenada's economy. In 2009 Grenada economy contracted by nearly 8% and it hasn't grown above 1.4% since.
Seems like an usual time for hotels to be worrying about the environment doesn't it?
Well according to the President of the Board of Directors for Grenada's Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA), Grenada's hotels endure more than hurricanes and recessions - they also endure the world's highest energy prices (Grenada being among the top ten). Renewable energy provides the opportunity to reduce those costs, as well as to revitalize the nation's tourism sector as it responds to the growing environmental conscience of their customers.
So, with the help of Ethical Ideas, the GHTA is pursing a zero carbon future and energy liberalization. We have a lot of supporters already and I am very confident we will achieve the goal. Watch this space as I post updates on what we're doing and how we're progressing!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Zero Carbon Future for Grenada Hotels
April 27, 2012-
Grenada Hotels Declare Energy Ambitions
St. George’s, Grenada – Russ Fielden, President of the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) announced at the Sustainable Development Council meeting today that the business association will be pursuing a Carbon Free future and energy cost reductions for the sector. The Sustainable Development Council met to discuss Grenada’s prospects in the global Carbon Trading Market. The GHTA ambitions, dubbed by the GHTA as the ‘2012 Earth Day Declaration’ include a desire for Grenada Hotels:
- To be the first zero carbon hotel sector in the Caribbean, if not the world.
- Safeguard Grenada’s global competitiveness through an immediate cost reprieve on electricity prices until renewable conversion takes place
- To support the development of the Eastern Caribbean Electricity Regulatory Agency (ECERA) by OECS Governments and the World Bank
According to Mr. Fielden, Grenada’s electricity prices are among the highest in the world and this is making Grenada’s business environment very uncompetitive in an already limping global economy. As the GHTA sees it, failing to realize a cost reduction in electricity prices will spell disaster for Grenada’s already foundering economy. Renewable energy is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing energy costs.
The business association has come out strongly in support of liberalizing Grenada’s energy sector and for having an energy infrastructure that is 100% carbon free. This is because Grenada’s current electricity pricing means that a hotel must, by law, sell 100% of the energy their solar systems might produce and then GRENLEC will sell it back to them at nearly three times the cost. The GHTA acknowledges that GRENLEC clearly cannot manage an electrical grid if too many people are operating different electricity producing systems that feed into the grid, but the Association is confident and determined to see a hotel sector that is carbon free.
The GHTA’s has retained Ethical Ideas Consulting Services to negotiate on their behalf to obtain grants, concessional loans, and negotiate agreements with other stakeholders. You can contact Jennifer Alexis through the GHTA office at 444-1353 or by emailing Jennifer Alexis at ethical.ideas@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
GRENADA’S YACHTING SECTOR RECEIVES MARKETING GRANT
St. George’s, January 31, 2011 - The Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada, also known as MAYAG, has received grant funds valued at approximately $70,000 Eastern Caribbean Dollars from the Centre for the Development of Enterprise (also known as the ‘CDE’) to support a marketing project aimed at promoting the growth of the sector. The funds will provide an opportunity for the Grenada’s yachting sector to identify new markets, develop a marketing plan to reach those markets as well as creating marketing materials and publishing the next edition of Grenada’s Marine Guide.
The marketing project will focus on branding Grenada globally as the ultimate yachting destination. “This grant provides an opportunity for Grenada’s yachting sector to increase its presence in the global marketplace” said MAYAG President, Anita Sutton. “Most of MAYAG’s Members are small and medium size enterprises, and the costs of advertising in the global marketing place are very high. By pooling our resources and effectively promoting Grenada as the ultimate yachting destination we will stretch our advertising dollars much further”. This project is very important for Grenada, as MAYAG estimates that the sector already contributes approximately $70 million XCD to Grenada’s economy per year, providing over 400 direct jobs and supporting at least 300 more jobs in the service industry and restaurants that make money from yachting visitors.
Consultants working on the project include the lead marketing expert Russell Jarman Price who resides in St. Patrick’s Grenada. While living in the UK, Mr. Jarman Price co-founded ‘Still Price Court’, one of the fastest growing advertising agencies ever with clients such as Coca-Cola and Virgin Atlantic. Three Grenadians will also make up the project team: Tony McQuilkin, a publisher and photojournalist, and Rosetta Weston, a business process re-engineering consultant and Jennifer Ellard-Alexis, a sustainable development specialist who is MAYAG’s proposal writer & project coordinator. For more information, email mayag@spiceisle.com or visit www.cde.int or www.mayag.net
The marketing project will focus on branding Grenada globally as the ultimate yachting destination. “This grant provides an opportunity for Grenada’s yachting sector to increase its presence in the global marketplace” said MAYAG President, Anita Sutton. “Most of MAYAG’s Members are small and medium size enterprises, and the costs of advertising in the global marketing place are very high. By pooling our resources and effectively promoting Grenada as the ultimate yachting destination we will stretch our advertising dollars much further”. This project is very important for Grenada, as MAYAG estimates that the sector already contributes approximately $70 million XCD to Grenada’s economy per year, providing over 400 direct jobs and supporting at least 300 more jobs in the service industry and restaurants that make money from yachting visitors.
Consultants working on the project include the lead marketing expert Russell Jarman Price who resides in St. Patrick’s Grenada. While living in the UK, Mr. Jarman Price co-founded ‘Still Price Court’, one of the fastest growing advertising agencies ever with clients such as Coca-Cola and Virgin Atlantic. Three Grenadians will also make up the project team: Tony McQuilkin, a publisher and photojournalist, and Rosetta Weston, a business process re-engineering consultant and Jennifer Ellard-Alexis, a sustainable development specialist who is MAYAG’s proposal writer & project coordinator. For more information, email mayag@spiceisle.com or visit www.cde.int or www.mayag.net
EMERGENCY YACHTLINE LAUNCHED AS GRENADA’S YACHT CRIME DECLINES
Jennifer Ellard-Alexis, St. Georges, January, 2010 – The Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada (MAYAG) has teamed up with the Royal Grenada Police Force(RGPF) for the second year in a row to preserve the safety and security enjoyed by cruisers visting Grenada.
According to visitor survey’s conducted by the Marine and Yachting Association, yachting visitors ranked ‘safety and security’ as a number one consideration when deciding where to visit and where to sail. Naturally, this means that Grenada’s safety record is important to the sector. Grenada recognizes the importance of safety and security to yachts andenjoys a reputation for being a relatively safe destination. MAYAG is actively working to ensure it stays that way. “We recognize that as there is a very small percentage of Grenadians engaged in criminal activity, there is a correspondingly small proportion of yachting visitors who are involved in illegal activities, and we welcome this partnership with the RGPF in keeping this place a haven for yachts “ MAYAG Chairperson Anita Sutton said at the January 21st launch of the emergency yachtline.
While explaining why the Royal Grenada Police Force had created a dedicated hotline for yachts, Supt. James, Commander of Grenada’s Drug Squad expressed how happy he was that the drug squad is partnering with MAYAG and the wider yachting community. He reported that the Region is threatened by the drug trade, and “society is the victim of the [drug] trade”; making it clear that Grenada had no intention of becoming one of those victims. Supt. James made it clear that the yachtline is for reporting security problems and energencies; however he also encouraged yachting visitors to use the yachtline to report any suspicious activity they see taking place – and that may include drug trafficking.
To launch what MAYAG calls the ‘emergency yachtline’; MAYAG brought together RGPF Commanders from the Drug Squad, the Criminal Investigations Department and the Coast Guard to meet with yachting interests in Grenada. The launch is the second meeting of it’s kind organized by MAYAG. The first security meeting held in March 2010 was such a success, it is likely to become an annual event. “Cruisers reported a need for improved police communications and emergency response in our 2010 security meeting”, MAYAG’s Vice Chair, Mr. Pascall said. The yachtline will address a great deal of that, but the yachtline is not the only measure MAYAG, cruisers, and the police are working on together. The community is working on raising funds to provide the Coast Guard with a number of the hardware assets required to improve their ability to keep Grenada safe, as well as seeing for better border security with the implmentation of eSeaClear.
Coast Guard Commander, Supt. Griffith who was recently posted as the new Commander of the Grenada Coast Guard, made it clear that cooperation between the police, yachting businesses and cruisers was essential for preventing the rise of crime. He also re-iterated the high level of regional cooperation which yachting visitors may not always be aware of. He cited cases of successful partnership with the Coastguard of Trinidad and Tobago, and mentioned some of the practical support available to the Grenada Coastguard regionally.
Grenada’s CID reports that maritime crimes have gone down from 10 incidents in 2009 to 9 incidents in 2010. Grenada’s 24/7 Emergency Yachtline is 473-405-7490.
According to visitor survey’s conducted by the Marine and Yachting Association, yachting visitors ranked ‘safety and security’ as a number one consideration when deciding where to visit and where to sail. Naturally, this means that Grenada’s safety record is important to the sector. Grenada recognizes the importance of safety and security to yachts andenjoys a reputation for being a relatively safe destination. MAYAG is actively working to ensure it stays that way. “We recognize that as there is a very small percentage of Grenadians engaged in criminal activity, there is a correspondingly small proportion of yachting visitors who are involved in illegal activities, and we welcome this partnership with the RGPF in keeping this place a haven for yachts “ MAYAG Chairperson Anita Sutton said at the January 21st launch of the emergency yachtline.
While explaining why the Royal Grenada Police Force had created a dedicated hotline for yachts, Supt. James, Commander of Grenada’s Drug Squad expressed how happy he was that the drug squad is partnering with MAYAG and the wider yachting community. He reported that the Region is threatened by the drug trade, and “society is the victim of the [drug] trade”; making it clear that Grenada had no intention of becoming one of those victims. Supt. James made it clear that the yachtline is for reporting security problems and energencies; however he also encouraged yachting visitors to use the yachtline to report any suspicious activity they see taking place – and that may include drug trafficking.
To launch what MAYAG calls the ‘emergency yachtline’; MAYAG brought together RGPF Commanders from the Drug Squad, the Criminal Investigations Department and the Coast Guard to meet with yachting interests in Grenada. The launch is the second meeting of it’s kind organized by MAYAG. The first security meeting held in March 2010 was such a success, it is likely to become an annual event. “Cruisers reported a need for improved police communications and emergency response in our 2010 security meeting”, MAYAG’s Vice Chair, Mr. Pascall said. The yachtline will address a great deal of that, but the yachtline is not the only measure MAYAG, cruisers, and the police are working on together. The community is working on raising funds to provide the Coast Guard with a number of the hardware assets required to improve their ability to keep Grenada safe, as well as seeing for better border security with the implmentation of eSeaClear.
Coast Guard Commander, Supt. Griffith who was recently posted as the new Commander of the Grenada Coast Guard, made it clear that cooperation between the police, yachting businesses and cruisers was essential for preventing the rise of crime. He also re-iterated the high level of regional cooperation which yachting visitors may not always be aware of. He cited cases of successful partnership with the Coastguard of Trinidad and Tobago, and mentioned some of the practical support available to the Grenada Coastguard regionally.
Grenada’s CID reports that maritime crimes have gone down from 10 incidents in 2009 to 9 incidents in 2010. Grenada’s 24/7 Emergency Yachtline is 473-405-7490.
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