Interview with Troy Washington, Former CEO, NV GEBE

24 Jun Interview with Troy Washington, Former CEO, NV GEBE

Can you introduce NV GEBE to our readers as Sint Maarten’s only electricity producer and explain your operations to us?

NV GEBE is the sole utility company on the island of Sint Maarten, playing a vital role in the island’s development and infrastructure. Its origins date back to 1960 when NV GESM was established as an equal partnership between OGEM, a Dutch company based in Willemstad, Curaçao and the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles. OGEM held full managerial control, overseeing the company’s operations.

Shortly after its formation, GESM was renamed NV GEBE to reflect its mandate of supplying and distributing electricity to the then “island territory of the Windward Islands,” which included Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius. OGEM’s management lasted for 22 years until it ended operations in 1982, at which point the Central Government took full ownership of GEBE.

Since 1995, GEBE has been managed by Sint Maarteners and the company has handled water distribution for the island government. In 2005, GEBE celebrated two major milestones: a decade of local management and its 45th anniversary. A year later, in 2006, the Windward Islands took full control of GEBE from the Central Government. December 2013 marked another proud achievement when the official transfer of shares granted Sint Maarten 100 percent ownership of the utility company. This transition led to the separation of GEBE into three independent entities for Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius. Over the years, GEBE’s management structure evolved and in 2015, the first complete managing board (CEO, CFO, COO) was created to oversee the company’s operations. Today, NV GEBE continues to be a cornerstone of St. Maarten’s progress, committed to providing reliable electricity and water services to the community.

Where does Sint Maarten fit into the picture for residential and commercial electricity pricing compared to neighbours?

When it comes to residential and commercial electricity pricing, NV GEBE remains competitive within the region. Based on comparative data, NV GEBE ranks as the 11th lowest in electricity rates among Caribbean utility providers. While other territories have different pricing structures and benefits from heavy government subsidies, Sint Maarten operates within a model that balances operational costs with the need to provide reliable electricity services to residents and businesses.

We continue to explore ways to enhance efficiency and sustainability while ensuring that our pricing remains fair and reflective of the economic realities of our community. Our priority is to deliver consistent, high quality service while keeping costs as manageable as possible for our customers.

How does NV GEBE engage with local communities to ensure their needs are met and what are some notable examples of community-driven projects that have been particularly successful?

NV GEBE takes an active role in engaging with the local community to ensure that our services align with their needs. We understand that as the island’s sole utility provider, we have a responsibility not just to deliver electricity and water but also to enhance the safety, resilience and sustainability of Sint Maarten.

One of our key community driven initiatives has been the installation of community safety street lights in various districts across the island. This project was implemented as part of crime prevention efforts, ensuring that public spaces remain well-lit and secure for residents and businesses alike. Additionally, we have made significant progress in modernizing our infrastructure. We are gradually transitioning from overhead to underground cabling, which will enhance the resilience of our electrical network, particularly in the face of hurricanes as our island sits right in the path of the hurricane zone. Another notable development is our investment in advanced technology water storage tanks. NV GEBE has moved from traditional steel tanks to glass-infused water tanks, which offer greater durability, reduced maintenance needs and improved water quality for the community. These projects are just a few examples of how NV GEBE remains committed to serving the people of Sint Maarten, prioritizing safety, innovation and long-term sustainability.

What plans do you have in place for greener electricity production and are there opportunities for U.S. investors in this area?

We have finalized our least cost development plan, which outlines the most economical and sustainable path for Sint Maarten’s energy future. Based on our thorough analysis, solar energy has been identified as the most viable renewable energy source for the island. While wind power is a great renewable option in many regions, Sint Maarten’s location in the hurricane belt presents significant challenges. Wind turbines require costly reinforcements to withstand extreme weather conditions, making them a less cost-effective choice. Additionally, the island has limited real estate and wind intensity, making it difficult to develop large-scale, economically feasible wind farms.

That said, we remain fully committed to transitioning towards greener electricity production and are actively exploring opportunities to integrate solar power into our energy mix. This includes evaluating utility-scale solar farms, distributed solar solutions and energy storage systems to enhance grid reliability and sustainability.

As for investment opportunities, we welcome discussions with U.S. investors and technology providers who can support the implementation of solar projects, battery storage solutions and other innovative energy technologies. Our goal is to develop a resilient, cost-effective and sustainable energy future for Sint Maarten and strategic partnerships will play a key role in achieving this vision.

What plans are in place for domestic water production beginning in 2027 and what infrastructure is needed compared with already installed facilities?

Our current desalination plant may be under the ownership of Seven Seas, but it is important to note that GEBE’s personnel are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility. This means that while the contract is in place until 2027, our team is already highly experienced in the desalination process, from seawater intake to the production of high-quality drinking water.

Our plan is to ensure a seamless transition to fully domestic water production post-2027. This involves upgrading and expanding our existing facilities to comfortably meet the island’s growing water demands while maintaining efficiency and sustainability. We are conducting feasibility studies on the required infrastructure, including expanding desalination capacity to ensure long-term water security, enhancing storage and distribution networks to improve reliability and resilience, integrating more energy-efficient technology to reduce production costs and investing in redundancy systems to ensure uninterrupted water supply, even in extreme conditions.

Our extensive expertise in water production, combined with strategic infrastructure upgrades, will position Sint Maarten to take full ownership of its water supply by 2027, ensuring a cost-effective, reliable and sustainable solution for the future.

Some Caribbean islands are heavily water stressed. How can you mitigate the effects of climate change, especially on potable water supplies?

In Sint Maarten, our potable water supply is primarily sourced through desalination, converting seawater into drinking water. Unlike other Caribbean nations that rely on lakes, rivers, or groundwater, we are less vulnerable to changing rainfall patterns and drought conditions. However, climate change still poses challenges, particularly with rising sea levels and the potential impact on coastal infrastructure and water intake systems.

Additionally, while desalination provides a reliable water source, we recognize the importance of contributing to the global effort in reducing carbon emissions. We are committed to transitioning towards cleaner energy solutions to power our facilities, further aligning with St. Maarten’s sustainability goals.

How do you see your working environment being transformed by smart technology, AI and big data?

NV GEBE has been actively integrating advanced technology to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer service and future-proof our utility services. One of the most significant implementations is the introduction of smart meters. These meters allow us to remotely read customers’ electricity consumption, reducing the need for manual readings, improving accuracy and enhancing overall efficiency. Additionally, they enable remote disconnection and reconnection, streamlining our processes and ensuring a more responsive service for our clients.

Another key innovation is the deployment of smart streetlights, which provide improved energy efficiency and enhanced public safety.  These lights are equipped with sensors that allow for remote monitoring, automatic dimming and adaptive brightness based on real time conditions.

Looking ahead, NV GEBE is continuously exploring ways to leverage smart technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize our operations. The integration of AI driven analytics will help us predict energy demand more accurately, allowing for better load management and reducing the likelihood of service disruptions. Big data analysis will also play a crucial role in detecting usage patterns, improving energy efficiency and enhancing grid resilience.

In the long term, we envision a fully digitalized working environment where automation and real time data insights will drive decision making. This transformation will not only improve internal processes but also empower our customers with more control over their energy consumption through digital tools such as mobile apps and online monitoring platforms.

What is your final message for the readers of the Miami Herald?

As Sint Maarten’s sole utility provider, NV GEBE remains deeply committed to delivering reliable, efficient and sustainable electricity and water services to our community. We understand the critical role we play in the island’s growth and resilience and we are continuously investing in advanced technology, infrastructure improvements and customer focused innovations.

Our journey has been one of evolution, adapting to the needs of our people while maintaining our commitment to excellence. We take pride in serving the people of Sint Maarten and look forward to embracing the future with smarter solutions, enhanced sustainability and a continued focus on community engagement.

NV GEBE is more than just a utility company, we are a pillar of Sint Maarten’s development and we remain dedicated to powering the island’s progress for generations to come.