Located in the Eastern Caribbean island chain, Saint Kitts and Nevis is a high-income country with a small, open economy.
Prone to natural disasters, including hurricanes, the country is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Another challenge the country faces is poverty and unemployment increases following its abandoning of sugar exportation in favour of promoting the service sector.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is committed to developing a strategy for the use of alternative energy sources, adopting a National Energy Policy in 2014. The aim is to generate 100% of energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. The country strives to become the smallest ‘green’ nation in the Western Hemisphere with a sustainable energy sector providing reliable, renewable, clean and affordable energy services to its citizens.
Our priorities
The main objective of our development cooperation with Saint Kitts and Nevis is to support its efforts to increase competitiveness, promote sustainable growth and poverty alleviation. This is in line with the country context and is reflected in the national development strategies. Saint Kitts and Nevis has signed the Cotonou agreement, as well as the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM)-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Our cooperation currently runs under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), in which the sector of intervention is renewable energy. We focus on supporting Saint Kitts and Nevis in diversifying its energy production and reducing its dependency on fossil fuels. Emphasis is also on promoting regional cooperation.
Due to the country being severely impacted by hurricanes Irma and Maria, additional support has been allocated to reconstruction and resilience building.
Our programmes
The Technical Assistance Programme for Sustainable Energy in the Caribbean (TAPSEC) funded under the 11 th EDF, benefits Saint Kitts and Nevis in the implementation of its national energy policy. As a member of CARIFORUM, the country also benefits from capacity building initiatives.