The water sector – contributing to the implementation of Grenada’s NDCs

Like all small island states in the Caribbean region, Grenada faces the risk of water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, and has high potential for the introduction of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The government has identified the resilience of the water sector as a priority in all national climate strategy documents and successfully submitted a large-scale project to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which in its compontents 1-3 aims to improve the resilience of the water sector. The components 4 and 5 of this GCF project are co-funded through this IKI Project, which is developing the first carbon-neutral water utility in the Caribbean and disseminating this approach in the region. In this context, it is advising the Grenada National Water and Sanitation Authority to improve its water and energy efficiency. To this end, it promotes the introduction of renewable energy and supports the implementation of the water loss reduction strategy.

Project data

Countries
Grenada
IKI funding
2,563,000.00 €
Duration
08/2019 till 07/2025
Status
open
Implementing organisation
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner
  • Ministry of Infrastructure and Physical Development, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation and Transport
Implementing Partner
  • Ministry of Finance, Planning, Economic Development, Trade, Energy and Cooperatives - Grenada
  • National Water and Sewage Authority (NAWASA) - Grenada

State of implementation/results

    Integration of Water Sector in the NDC
    • In 2021, the project has started updating Grenada’s National Climate Strategy and its National Adaptation Plan (NAP). The process takes place in close coordination with the NDC process.
    • A climate-proofing workshop was held in July 2021 with all key stakeholders involved in the implementation of the infrastructure measures.
    • The project cooperates with the NAP Global Network to produce a progress report of the NAP which will serve as the basis for the 2022 update.
    • In June 2023, a webinar on greenhouse gas emissions inventory took place to develop a robust response to low carbon emissions in the water sector in Grenada.
    • In August 2023, the first national greenhouse gas report for the water sector in Grenada was produced. Initial discussions were held with the local coordinator of the NDC partnership to discuss the results from the report.
    Renewable Energies in the Water Sector
    • In March 2023, negotiations started with the Grenadian regulatory authority and the electricity company on the national water authority's CO2 mitigation strategy. The project is providing international expertise to advise the water authority on an overarching CO2 neutrality scheme. First sites for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems have been identified.
    • In August 2023, the national water utility, the electricity supply company, and the state regulatory authority reached an extraordinary agreement to integrate renewable energy into the water supply network. A specialized tariff mechanism was established to promote the expansion of solar photovoltaic systems and offset the energy usage of a new pump station inland. This model can then be utilized for additional installations.
    • In September 2023, the project presented the challenges and requirements for the planning and procurement of microturbines during an international virtual webinar.
    Energy Efficiency in the water sector
    • 2022, a work plan to reduce water losses on the water systems (pipes, tanks) at the NAWASA water company was developed and is now being implemented. The initial water balances from selected pilot regions clearly indicate higher losses than initially assumed and contribute to improved data management. Through targeted measurements, numerous water leaks have already been identified and repaired within a few months. --Employees of the water main repair and installation teams were equipped with a smartphone app and trained to enter real-time data into the database system, which is linked to a Geographic Information System (GIS). Thanks to the GIS the water authority has for the first time the possibility to target repeated water leakages in 'hotspots'.
    • In March 2023, project staff participated in consultations for the update of the national energy policy.
    Replication of the approach in the Caribbean
    • The G-CREWS project was presented at the 2nd NDC Investment Forum (NDCFI) in St. Lucia in July 2022. The neighbouring island of St. Lucia is now planning a GCF-funded project with very similar objectives and content.
    • Four employees of the Grenadian National Water and Sewage Authority (NAWASA) gained insights during a study trip to the Digital Water Summit Conference in Bilbao, Spain, regarding the digitalization and innovative utilization of technologies to enhance the operational aspects of water supply and wastewater management. NAWASA is currently pursuing an integrated approach to improve its operational and maintenance management systems by implementing an inventory system that utilizes GIS-referenced information as a foundation in conjunction with an enhanced customer information system.
    • The project supported Grenada's participation in the UN Water Conference in March 2023.-- A peer-to-peer review between Saint Kitts and Grenada on a new water project idea in Saint Kitts and the Nevis has begun.
    • In June 2023, the project was exhibited at the Caribbean Water Conference "Water is Life" in Barbados.
    Awareness Raising and Knowledgemanagement
    • In August 2023, Carnival campaigns promoting water conservation measures were conducted. G-CREWS actively participated in the Children's Carnival and collaborated with several musicians and influencers to create jingles and videos that advocate for sustainable water resource management.
    • In July 2023, an agreement was signed between the Grenada Youth Emergency Action Committee (YEAC) and the G-CREWS project. As part of this partnership, 15 young water ambassadors were already trained to strengthen civil society dialogue on water conservation measures, water loss control, and rainwater harvesting in selected communities.
    • In March 2023, a delegation from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection, along with Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH, visited Grenada as part of the project.
    • Throughout 2023, the project presented its initiatives at various community meetings, school events, and exhibitions
    • March 2023 Information stand at a fair on the occasion of International Women's Day.
    • November 2022 Awareness-raising activities for teachers at the National Science Fair
    • 2022 Interactive stand at the Grenada Chocolat Festival on water saving, water saving appliances.
    • 2022 Launch of short videos on water saving at home
    • 2022 Poster competition with St. George's Lions Club on World Water Day Facebook
    • 2022 short videos for teachers on climate change and the water cycle with students from the St. George's University International Professional Team Course.
    • 2022 video on youth development in the water sector and three awareness-raising short films on rainwater harvesting were produced and broadcast on all national TV stations (see Youtube links on the bottom).
    • The project supported Grenada's participation in the UN Water Conference in March 2022.
    • A radio jingle about the Challenge Fund for Agriculture was broadcast on several radio stations.
    • In 2021, training was conducted for staff of various ministries and climate projects active in Grenada to use the digital project platform for joint virtual exchange and knowledge management and to expand it as an information hub.
    • In December 2020, a youth writing competition on sustainable water use was held in collaboration with the Grenada chapter of the 'Caribbean Youth Environmental Network (CYEN)'.
    • At the beginning of July 2020, project content, objectives and safeguards measures were presented and discussed in a virtual inception workshop with key stakeholders from government, civil society, business and academia.
    • The project was successfully launched on 25 February 2020 in the presence of the Prime Minister of Grenada.

Latest Update:
03/2024

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