The Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) expresses support for the proposed Electricity Supply Act (ESA), put forward by the Government of Grenada. The GHTA Directors commended the government for taking decisive action to amend the ESA in a consultation the government held with social partners at the Grenada Trade Centre on 7 July 2015.
The GHTA representatives clearly indicated their support for the new act, because of all the benefits it will bring Grenada. Firstly, opening up Grenada to renewable energy, investors mean Grenadians will benefit from energy cost reductions. This means businesses can grow without the limitation energy costs are creating now. It also means that new business investments are more likely to be developed, creating new jobs for Grenadians. Structural changes really do lead to jobs; as demonstrated by the 226 jobs created by the Tourism reforms between 2013–2014 alone.
As the co-founders of the Pure Grenada brand, the tourism sector recognizes that sound environmental stewardship is not a luxury. The proposed ESA will help to attract renewable energy investments; which the business leaders in tourism claim must be urgently addressed to mitigate climate change.
In 2012, the GHTA publicly issued an Earth Day Energy Declaration indicating a desire to be the first carbon neutral hotel sector in the world, and indicated an urgent need to reduce energy prices and eliminate the use of fossil fuels for energy production. In keeping with this commitment the GHTA has been implementing a project since 2014 funded by the Caricom Development Fund to reduce energy consumption among GHTA members.
The GHTA is also acutely aware of the need for a reduction in the cost of energy for domestic users in Grenada. Solar energy is currently out of the reach of most consumers, but there is little doubt that technology will develop quickly to make it affordable for all. Access to cheap renewable energy will become available to all Grenadians as this technology improves. The GHTA believes that the revised Electricity Supply Act is the first step toward realising the wellbeing of the nation through personal and economic growth.
