Philipsburg:--- Deputy Prime Minister Theodore Heyliger confirmed on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers press briefing that the agreement with Saba and Statia on GEBE has paved the way for the government to have a more hands on approach with GEBE. Minister Heyliger said that when the division is completed and the foundation and supervisory board is dissolved government would be able to start discussions on alternative energy for St. Maarten. Heyliger made clear that while government is in favor of alternative energy there would be need for a power plant on the island. He said it would not be sensible for government to depend only on renewable energy and not have a back up plant in place. Heyliger further explained that government has been trying to negotiate alternative energy with GEBE for the past ten years but the current structure of the company hindered progress. He said he took necessary steps to start the discussion on renewable energy but GEBE never complied. Heyliger said that government conducted a study on renewable energy and the first draft of that study is expected to be ready by next month. The Minister of Energy Affairs said that government has to also take into consideration the viability of the company and not make the same mistakes as Aqua Electra of Curacao. Heyliger said government has to make sure that GEBE can pay its bills at the end of each month since the company has a substantial amount of employees.
Philipsburg:--- Deputy Prime Minister Theodore Heyliger confirmed on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers press briefing that the agreement with Saba and Statia on GEBE has paved the way for the government to have a more hands on approach with GEBE. Minister Heyliger said that when the division is completed and the foundation and supervisory board is dissolved government would be able to start discussions on alternative energy for St. Maarten. Heyliger made clear that while government is in favor of alternative energy there would be need for a power plant on the island. He said it would not be sensible for government to depend only on renewable energy and not have a back up plant in place. Heyliger further explained that government has been trying to negotiate alternative energy with GEBE for the past ten years but the current structure of the company hindered progress. He said he took necessary steps to start the discussion on renewable energy but GEBE never complied. Heyliger said that government conducted a study on renewable energy and the first draft of that study is expected to be ready by next month. The Minister of Energy Affairs said that government has to also take into consideration the viability of the company and not make the same mistakes as Aqua Electra of Curacao. Heyliger said government has to make sure that GEBE can pay its bills at the end of each month since the company has a substantial amount of employees.