WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has requested that the Curaçao Parliament postpone a scheduled meeting on the government's energy policy until early 2027, acknowledging that the administration needs additional time to complete its long-awaited strategy for the island's energy supply.
In a letter addressed to Parliament President Fergino Brownbill, Pisas explains that consultations with stakeholders, recent shareholders' meetings of government-owned energy companies, and the conclusions of the Curaçao Energy Summit have made further adjustments to the proposed policy necessary.
Prime Minister Pisas in Parliament
The request concerns the continuation of a Central Committee meeting originally held on March 20, 2026, which was suspended to allow the government to formulate a comprehensive energy policy.
The meeting was scheduled to resume on Friday, November 6, at 9:00 a.m., but the prime minister is now asking Parliament to delay it until the beginning of next year.
Energy Policy Discussion Started in March
According to the letter, the government itself requested a parliamentary meeting in March to discuss developments surrounding the international energy crisis and its consequences for Curaçao.
The meeting took place on March 20 in Parliament's Central Committee, with the participation of the ministers responsible for General Affairs, Finance, and Economic Development.
During the discussion, one or more members of Parliament questioned the government about its policy for ensuring Curaçao's energy supply and the broader direction of the country's energy strategy.
The meeting was subsequently suspended to give the government an opportunity to develop and present a formal policy.
However, nearly eight months later, the administration has not yet completed the document required to resume the parliamentary discussion.
Pisas acknowledges that the process has taken considerably longer than initially anticipated.
He attributes the delay primarily to the number of stakeholders who must be consulted and the need to incorporate their comments into the draft policy.
Government Waited for Aqualectra, Curoil and 2BAYS Meetings
The prime minister also reveals that, on his recommendation, the ministers involved decided to wait until the general shareholders' meetings of three major government-owned energy companies had been completed.
These companies are Integrated Utility Holding (IUH), the parent company of Aqualectra, fuel supplier Curoil, and 2BAYS, which manages strategic energy-related infrastructure.
According to Pisas, the final shareholders' meetings were completed only on November 3.
That same day, Curaçao hosted its first Energy Summit 2026, bringing together stakeholders to discuss the island's long-term energy future.
The conclusions reached during the shareholders' meetings and the summit have prompted the government to reconsider and further develop several components of the proposed energy policy.
Pisas indicates that these developments have made additional work necessary before the strategy can be formally adopted by the Council of Ministers.
Energy Companies Must Fit Into Long-Term Strategy
One of the government's priorities is to clarify how the future development of Curaçao's energy companies will contribute to achieving the country's long-term energy objectives.
According to the prime minister, the policy must establish a clearer connection between the strategic direction of the energy sector and the roles of Aqualectra, Curoil, and 2BAYS.
The government therefore intends to make additional adjustments to the draft and conduct further consultations with stakeholders.
These activities will require more time from the officials and experts responsible for preparing the policy.
The letter does not provide a specific completion date, other than requesting that the parliamentary presentation be moved to early 2027.
Parliament Will Receive General Policy Outline During Budget Debate
Although the government is seeking to postpone the formal presentation, Pisas assures Parliament that ministers will provide an outline of the proposed energy policy during the upcoming budget debate.
According to the prime minister, the government will explain the main directions of its energy strategy for the coming years, even though the complete policy document will not yet be ready for parliamentary consideration.
This would allow members of Parliament to obtain an initial understanding of the government's intentions while the detailed strategy continues to be developed.
However, the formal discussion requested in March would remain unfinished until the government presents its completed policy.
Prime Minister Apologizes for Delay
In his letter, Pisas offers his sincere apologies to Parliament for the inconvenience caused by the postponement.
He maintains that the additional time is necessary to ensure that the policy reflects the conclusions of the recent shareholders' meetings, the Energy Summit, and further consultations with stakeholders.
The government ultimately intends to submit the energy policy for adoption by the Council of Ministers.
The postponement comes at a time when Curaçao faces important decisions about electricity generation, fuel supply, energy infrastructure, and the long-term development of its energy sector.
The government's request means that Parliament may have to wait until 2027 before receiving the comprehensive energy policy it requested during the March meeting.
For now, the administration is asking legislators to accept another delay while it completes the strategy that will guide Curaçao's energy future.