WILLEMSTAD – MAN-PIN Member of Parliament Giselle Mc William is calling on the Curaçao government to introduce tax incentives for solar panels, battery storage systems and other equipment that can continue operating during power outages.
Mc William’s proposal follows recent electricity disruptions across the island and Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas’ call for residents to consider investing in alternative solutions such as solar-powered fans.
According to Mc William, the outages have caused more than inconvenience. Residents and businesses have faced damaged electrical equipment, loss of products and difficulties for people whose work or well-being depends on a reliable electricity supply.
The MP said she supports Pisas’ call for people to invest in alternative energy solutions but argues that the government should make those investments more affordable and accessible.
She has therefore asked the prime minister to urgently consider a package of fiscal incentives covering solar panels, energy-storage batteries, solar-powered fans, air-conditioning systems capable of operating with solar energy and batteries, solar lanterns, power banks and other equipment that can function without an immediate connection to the electricity grid.
Among the measures proposed by Mc William is a reduction or complete elimination of import duties on solar-energy products. She also wants the government to consider reducing the turnover tax on essential products or applying a zero-percent rate.
Households and businesses investing in solar panels, batteries and other backup energy systems should also be considered for tax deductions, according to the MAN-PIN parliamentarian.
Mc William is additionally proposing special incentives for schools, healthcare institutions and nonprofit organizations, where interruptions to electricity can have broader consequences.
She has asked Pisas to present a concrete plan, preferably accompanied by a clear timetable for implementation.
According to Mc William, the measures should not simply be viewed as a response to the latest electricity disruptions. She believes fiscal incentives could help Curaçao become better prepared for future emergencies while reducing households’ and businesses’ dependence on the electricity grid.