At the beginning of August The Prime Minister signed a loan for 77 million dollars with the Saudi Fund for Development for a 60 megawatt solar plant. But while the loan has been committed to, the plan is still taking shape. The project is being led by the Minister of Finance at this initial stage - but there's also a Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-Governance - which would seem to be a natural match for leading the project. But, they weren't at the contract signing. We asked the Minister for public utilities today whether his ministry will be in charge of overseeing the plant.
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities and Logistics
"Is my ministry in charge of the government solar plant? I don't know if any ministry is in charge of any government solar plant, it is a government plan and I don't know if it has been decided whos going to managing that as yet because it is very much preliminary."
JO-
"Is it in line with the energy policy that the government or a government owned corporation should become a power provider?"
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities and Logistics
"It is in line with government's policy to expand the renewable resources of energy in the country it certainly is in line with government's goal to become more energy secure and energy independent so i think it aligns very well with the government's policies."
Prime Minister John Briceno told us on SUNUP on Wednesday that they have a company that will run the plant and it will not be profit driven.
