The Renewable Energy Sector Development Project (RESDP) has begun a new round of public consultations, this time focusing on compensation for landowners affected by planned geothermal exploration sites in Soufrière and Choiseul. The consultations, which commenced in early September, allow residents to review and provide input on the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) before it is finalized.
Dr. Ken Aldonza, RESDP Project Manager, explained that the plan is publicly accessible.
“A copy of the Resettlement Action Plan is now available in public places, such as libraries in the project-affected communities and in Castries. It is also available on the project website, slu.resdp.com, and the Government of St. Lucia website,” he said.
The RAP outlines the processes for relocating affected families and compensating landowners.
“For instance, there are two families that have to be relocated. It gives details on how they will be relocated and compensated. There are farmers who will not be able to use the land that we will be using. It details how they will be compensated for crops that are currently there and for crops they will not be able to produce over the next two years. It also speaks about land acquisition, which we are doing through both private treaty and the Land Acquisition Act,” Dr. Aldonza added.
The consultations aim to ensure transparency and community participation as Saint Lucia advances its geothermal energy development, balancing sustainable energy goals with the rights and livelihoods of affected residents.
