The Grenada Electricity Services Limited (GRENLEC) is considering the usage of an alternative source of energy for its consumers on the island.
This was revealed by General Manager, Vernon Lawrence who was at the time launching the activities to celebrate the company's eightieth anniversary.
Lawrence disclosed that as early as next week efforts would be made to put up wind towers to start the measurements for establishing a six-mega watts of wind energy.
He said the major challenge was to identify the suitable land for that purpose and the company has secured a lease for about three hundred acres of land at River Antoine, St. Patrick's. He also disclosed that the island's lone supplier of electricity has changed its policy with regards to inter-connection by outsiders with the system.
According to the GRENLEC boss, people who want to use solar energy are now being encouraged to do so. "We have encouraged that by allowing them to inter-connect to our system, such that when electricity is not able to generate by virtue of the fact that it might be raining... they can connect to our system and get supply," he said. At present 99.5 percent of the population is supplied with electricity from GRENLEC.
The General Manager of the utility company stated that between 1997 and 2001 electricity demand grew at an average rate of over eight percent to meet the growth of the economy.
At present, GRENLEC has an installed capacity of 49 mega watts to meet a peak demand of 28 mega watts of power in Grenada.
Lawrence unveiled the year-long activities which would mark the eightieth anniversary celebration. He said the achievement of such a milestone of reaching 80 years cannot be celebrated in just one month.
The celebration got underway two Sundays ago with an Ecumenical Service and reception at the Grenada Trade Centre in Grand Anse, St. George's. Recognition will be given to the retirees during the month of March.
Current members of staff will visit the retirees at their homes to provide various forms of assistance.
In April, GRENLEC will conduct a three-day trade show at the Trade Centre showcasing all of the departments and their work. A social get together with staff and their families is planned for May at Progress Park, St. Andrew's.
The month of June is dedicated for Carriacou and Petit Martinique. Activities on the sister isles will include a Church Service, customer appreciation day, involvement in community projects, and a visit by staff members on the mainland for a day of fun and interaction with their colleagues.
Focus on the community will be highlighted in the month of July, while in the month of August the focus will shift on customers. The feature activity in the month of September will be a debate competition among all secondary schools in the country.
During the month of October attention will be focused back on the staff. One of the activities planned is geared at fostering and nurturing better staff appreciation by switching roles.
Billed as "GRENLEC In Concert", this activity will bring the curtains down on the activities for October. The month of November will see staff members visit various institutions and to hand over the company's annual charitable contributions to these groups in the society.
A gala dinner and awards ceremony will bring the year-long eightieth anniversary celebration to a close in December.
The festival of lights will also be launched in the month of December by GRENLEC.
