Prime Minister Gaston Browne has declared that his administration intends for ordinary Antiguans and Barbudans — not just large corporations — to share in the financial benefits of the country's transition to renewable energy.
According to Antigua.news, Browne made the announcement on Pointe FM's Browne and Browne Show, where he revealed that the government plans to develop a major solar energy project within the next two years and open investment opportunities to the general public.
"Our intention within the next maybe 24 months is to commence in earnest the acquisition of a significant solar plant," the Prime Minister said.
The proposed project is expected to generate between 15 and 20 megawatts of electricity, representing another significant milestone in Antigua and Barbuda's clean energy transition.
Browne signalled a deliberate departure from the ownership model that has characterised previous energy projects, which were dominated by a small number of investors. "We want this to be a shared situation in which we provide an opportunity for Antiguans and Barbudans to invest in energy," he said.
The Prime Minister argued that diversifying ownership would allow more citizens to benefit from long-term returns while reducing the concentration of wealth within the energy sector. "We want to diversify the ownership rather than having maybe two entities," he said.
Browne noted that existing private companies would remain welcome to participate, but stressed that future projects must create wealth across a broader segment of the population. "We want to make sure that going forward… it is spread over a broader cross-section of Antiguans and Barbudans."
Describing renewable energy as among the safest long-term investments available, the Prime Minister framed the initiative as an economic opportunity as much as an environmental one. "Energy is one such area that we have to open up and make sure that it's available to others," he said.
