Amid growing public pressure over skyrocketing household electricity bills, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has revealed that the country’s Department of Environment holds a small stock of roughly 150 to 200 solar panels earmarked for public distribution. Browne made the announcement during an appearance on the popular Browne and Browne Show, broadcast on local radio outlet Pointe FM this past Saturday, while fielding questions from listeners about government support for families struggling to pay rising energy costs.
In his comments, Browne acknowledged that the available stock of panels is far from sufficient to meet widespread demand. He initially put the total number of available units at approximately 150, noting that his own constituency had received an allocation of just nine to 10 panels for distribution to local residents. Based on the small allocations each parliamentary constituency has received, Browne revised his estimate, saying the total national stock is likely closer to 200 panels.
The prime minister was frank about the limitations of the current program, confirming that the quantity of panels available remains extremely limited. At this stage, he declined to share key details about the initiative, including eligibility criteria for households hoping to receive a panel, the formal application process, or an official timeline for when distribution will officially launch.
Browne also addressed questions about a separate, previously announced government program to distribute energy-efficient air conditioning units to residents, a policy designed to cut household energy consumption and lower long-term utility costs. He confirmed that a new director has recently taken leadership of the Department of Environment, which oversees both programs, but admitted he has no updated information on the status of the original air conditioning initiative.
Browne told listeners he suspects the program has encountered unforeseen implementation challenges, but emphasized that he cannot confirm these suspicions without gathering more detailed information. He pledged to launch a full review of the stalled initiative and committed to sharing a formal public update once the review is completed.