At today's consultation, participants will review the provisions and have the opportunity to offer suggestions and amendments before finalization.

After a successful first consultation in March this year, the Government of Saint Lucia will host a second round of consultations on legislative reform for the energy sector, today.

Citizens and stakeholders will again be given the opportunity to discuss and provide input on the content of the new Electricity Supplies Services Bill, the Interconnection Regulations, the Wiring Regulations and the Electrical Licensing Authority Regulations.

The draft bill will replace the 1994 Electricity Supply Act. It was developed by Saint Lucian born Legislative Drafter Mrs. Karen Stephen-Dalton and incorporates the written and oral views and or suggestions of various Saint Lucians.

During the consultation Mrs. Stephen-Dalton will present the draft legislation and regulations to participants who will review the various provisions and have the opportunity to offer suggestions, amendments and further refine the legislative documents before finalization.

This consultative process where continuous input is sought from key stakeholders and the general public is consistent with government`s policy and commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability.

The development of the Draft Electricity Supply Services Bill and Regulations is one of the outputs under the Eastern Caribbean Energy Regulatory Authority (ECERA) Project managed by the OECS Commission, on behalf of the governments of Saint Lucia and Grenada.

The new Bill and Regulations will make provision for the introduction of independent power producers in the electricity sector, breaking the current monopoly on electricity generation by the Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC).

The Government of Saint Lucia through the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology has and continues to dialogue with LUCELEC on the country`s energy sector transition. The parties will work towards a sustainable future, pillared on the greater use of renewable forms of energy.

Additionally a new bill called the National Utilities Regulatory Bill has been completed which will provide for the regulation of electricity supply services and for related matters and further provides for the establishment of a Regulatory Authority called, the National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC).

The second round of consultations on the Draft Electricity Supply Services Bill and Regulations is being held at the Royal by Rex St Lucian Hotel in Rodney Bay. The Government of Saint Lucia is arduously working towards finalizing the Electricity Supply Services Bill and all Regulations by December 2015.