St. Kitts and Nevis and Saudi Arabia signs MOU for expansion of Needsmust Power Plant

St. Kitts and Nevis: Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis extended gratitude to Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister for signing an agreement yesterday with Saudi Arabia on his behalf. The agreement was signed in Washington D.C at the World Bank Headquarters with CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, as the Prime Minister is on other official duties in the middle east for the Geothermal investments.

The official funding agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development (SDF) is signed for the expansion of the SKELEC Needs Must Power Plant. The Plant is to receive the US$40 Million upgrade of 18MW dual fuel generators. This as well will provide the required infrastructure as some aged generators were required to be changed.

Such a development will increase the capacity of the plant that will improve the reliability of electricity around the country. This marks a significant step in providing resiliency at the power plant as the country is under the transitory phase to renewable energy sources.

The Prime Minister also extended thanksgiving to the Minister of Energy, Konris G M Maynard. The Energy Minister last year in October 2023 had a meeting with the CEO Sultan Bin Abdulrahman AI-Marshad and his team in Saudi Arabia. He added that the NeedsMust Expansion Project on behalf of SKELEC (St. Kitts Electricity Company) was much required.

After the meeting, the Saudi Fund for Development team visited St. Kitts and Nevis in November to examine the project. At that time, the Prime Minister signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the sidelines of the CARICOM Summit in Saudi Arabia.

Such a partnership promises to offer the benefits to the country as a part of taking developmental actions. As well, this speaks of strengthened relationships between the both the nations.

As the Prime Minister shared the glimpses while signing the agreement on Social Media, netizens appreciated the actions being taken under the leadership of PM Terrance Drew.

“Promises kept, Better under Labour,” mentioned the Prime Minister.