The National Mental Wellness Centre held the official launch for a new  solar photovoltaic (PV) system , today, that will enable it to operate on renewable energy.

The hospital, which provides specialized services to citizens suffering with mental illness, now has the capacity to generate twenty-five kilowatts (25 kW) of renewable energy.

The achievement is a major milestone that will enable continued operations at the hospital  in the event of a national power outage

The increase in the country's renewable energy capacity is consistent with government's aim to increase generation of renewable energy penetration into the national grid by 35 percent by the year 2020; and also demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Saint Lucia to equip important state institutions with renewable energy capacity while maintaining critical services to the most vulnerable citizens in times of need.

Currently the island has approximately 500 kilowatts of solar PV capacity installed.

The system at the National Mental Wellness Centre was funded by the Republic of China (Taiwan) under the Sustainable Energy from Concept to Action Project, as part of the solar energy  component.

Previously, on Feb. 26, the government launched a 25 kilowatt PV system at the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).