Page 12 - UTILITIES 31 JULY 2015

Minister Mike de Meza invites all young ones to

PARTICIPATE in the

2015 SUSTAINABLE

ENERGY week

MINISTRY Energy Week, for example the Aruba Learning energy from all around the world willing to help
of Economic Affairs, Communication, Energy Event which will take place on October 26 and 27, our utility companies in their trajectory towards
and Environment Mike de Meza emphasized the the 6th Green Aruba Conference which will take becoming 100% sustainable when it comes to power
importance of teens, students and young professionals place on October 27 and 28, the ECLAC meeting and drinkable water production by 2020.
participating in the 6th Green Aruba Conference at a which is a meeting held on the efficient energy
press conference held on Wednesday at the Aruba topic that will be held on October 29 and 30 Minister de Meza remarked on the active participation
Marriot Resort where the Aruba sustainable energy and lastly the parlatino commission ‘Mines and of many strategic partners such as TNO Caribbean,
week was launched. Energy’ meeting that will take place on October Carbon War Room/Rocky Mountain Institute,
Many events will take place during the Sustainable CARICOM, USA Department of Energy, Clinton
30 and 31. Climate Initiative and the United Nations renowned
institute named IRENA (International Renewal
The Minister mentioned that Aruba has advances Energy Agency).
on the sustainable energy subject but Aruba would Besides these companies Aruba’s initiatives have
always benefit from learning more about the matter attracted many government officials and utility
from other countries and other countries can also companies from other islands that have the same
learn a lot from Aruba. advantages and challenges as Aruba, they could
Through events such as the Aruba Learning Event and benefit a lot from implementing similar technologies
Green Aruba Conference Aruba has attracted many as Aruba to rely more on sustainable energy.
experts, developers and engineers on sustainable

Aruba’s PROGRESS receive solar always be prepared for difficult times
panels. that may present in the future when
crude oil prices increase drastically
and what’s yet to come Minister against as has already been the case in
de Meza is the past.
particularly
happy about During a parlatino meeting the
will be discussed in the Green Conference the school members discussed the law to protect
projects, the efficiency of energy and the
integration of the energy matter, but
because it is before introducing this law a thorough
study will be done on what situation is
important at hand at countries that are members,
the Minister said.
THE two conferences that will be held lot of energy will be discussed and to promote This is a very interesting discussion
for Aruba, especially since Aruba is
on renewable energy offer a dynamic evaluated. sustainable energy to our young ones currently developing on the sustainable
energy matter.
exchange of conclusions and a unique Besides all of this, other topics such to raise awareness on the subject from
opportunity for all countries and as WEB Aruba N.V. and ELMAR N.V’s an early age. Minister Mike de Meza concluded his
ideas for the near future will also be Minister de Meza highlighted how speech by mentioning how proud he is
companies that will participate in it. to see that Aruba is seen as a country
essential it is for small countries like that cares for the social-economic life of
During the 6th Green Aruba Conference discussed. its citizens and that as a country Aruba
Aruba to not depend on unstable crude is dedicated to producing energy and
an intensive analysis on the nest 50% drinkable water responsibly by many
that Aruba is yet to carry out in order to Minister Mike de Meza also mentioned oil prices submitting our country to countries around the world.
reach the 100% sustainable production the solar panels for schools project, the depending on multinationals and large
two first schools that will have solar countries that have the product.
amount by 2020.

panels installed are Kudawecha in

Topics like the two windmill parks that Noord and Filomena in San Nicolas, “As a small country we have many huge
are currently in their legal phase and and this will take place during the last challenges.” Minister de Meza said
are ready to be constructed by 2016 quarter of 2015 and is a project that adding that Aruba has a high quality
of living and that this quality needs to
and the solar park at the airport which involves a total of 21 schools.
is functioning well and producing a 8 Government buildings will also be protected. As a country we need to

4 LOCAL Friday, July 31 2015 - ARUBA TRAVELLER