SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - As NV GEBE marked its 66th anniversary on September 16, 2026, the company also taking steps toward the future of energy on St. Maarten with site inspections related to its planned solar energy and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects.
The initiative forms part of NV GEBE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the resilience of the electricity grid, expand the use of alternative energy, and ultimately help reduce the island’s dependence on fuel for electricity generation.
NV GEBE is progressing plans for a 6-megawatt solar energy project, proposed to be developed in two phases: an initial 2-megawatt phase followed by an additional 4-megawatt phase. The company is also advancing plans for battery energy storage of 28 Megawatts, with support from the Netherlands, to enhance grid resiliency.
During the site inspection, the project team and the potential vendors visited several proposed locations, including the Mullet Bay, Zagersgut and Pond Island substations, where battery storage systems are planned. The locations were identified based on electricity demand and the role each substation plays in supplying electricity to the surrounding communities. The site inspections then continued on with the locations for the solar plants at Hope Estate and the parking areas along the Walter J. Nisbeth rd.
The battery systems are expected to support a process known as peak shaving, allowing stored energy to supplement electricity generation during periods of high demand. By reducing the amount of additional generation required during these peak periods, the system has the potential to reduce fuel consumption, maintenance and other associated costs while supporting a more resilient electricity network which will ultimately reflect in the reduction of the fuel clause charge to the consumers.
Plans for the alternative energy program also include exploring electric vehicle charging infrastructure as the number of electric vehicles on St. Maarten continues to grow.
The site inspections represent an important step in moving the projects forward, including determining the appropriate technical solutions, selecting qualified vendors for implementation, installing of a resilient network all focused on Restoring Utility Affordability (RUA) for the NV GEBE consumers.
As NV GEBE celebrated 66 years of serving St. Maarten, the company remains focused not only on its history, but also on building a more resilient and sustainable energy future for the community.
