When it comes to capital works, the Caribbean currently has a number of significant projects under progression. When completed, these projects will not only represent a substantial upgrade to the host nations‚ but also promise to streamline new investment and tourism interest from abroad. From road and energy upgrades to glittering new casinos, 2020 is set to be an exciting new chapter for construction in the Caribbean. Here now are five capital works projects that are a must-watch in the year ahead.
Jamaica’s Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project
For many years the Caribbean and wider Latin America nations have struggled with a comparatively high level of road fatalities. Jamaica is no exception, having seen 435 deaths in 2019, equalling the second highest number on record in the country. The solutions to such a challenge are complex but undoubtedly the improvement of roads is an important part in bringing down this horrible toll. The Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project involves the rehabilitation of approximately 110 kilometres of road. The extension of the PJ Patterson Highway will also form part of the project. Set to be delivered with China Harbour Engineering, the total cost of the works is expected to be US$ 384mn.
The Dominican Republic’s Solar Initiatives
As a nation with over 10 million citizens, the Dominican Republic’s electricity needs are somewhat demanding in the Caribbean. Cuba and Haiti each also have a population of over 10 million while the fourth largest in the region is Puerto Rico at just a third of that, 3.2 million people. The Dominican Republic’s goal of 25% of its electricity being green by 2025 is ambitious domestically. It is also inspiring for nations around the region that are forging their own path to greater energy independence and sustainability.
Just as a 50 MW solar project was set to finish at the end of 2019‚ the year also finished with news that the DR had concluded planning approval to build additional 100 MW and 200 MW projects, promising another step forward in the nation’s green future. The latter is set to have financing provided by US business Energy Development Partners, and Bani Solar.
St Kitts and Nevis’ Solar and Storage Plan
St Kitts and Nevis is also pursuing bold solar goals in 2020. Announced in August 2019, with a scheduled completion date of September 2020‚ the nation’s solar generation and storage project has been billed as the “largest in the Caribbean”.
The government’s partnership with Leclanché is set to provide up to 30% of the country’s present power generation requirements, and it will do so while displacing the same amount of diesel-generated capacity.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Healthcare Upgrade
For a nation where the current life expectancy is around 68 for men and 76 for women, Trinidad and Tobago begins a new decade with strong progress in healthcare serving as an important national aspiration. Key in achieving this is the completion of the Point Fortin Hospital. Although it has been subject to delays, the revised opening of the new medical site in the nation’s south-west is scheduled for March of this year.
As well as this project, the completion of a new hospital tower block in Port of Spain will provide a substantial boost to the nation’s healthcare sector in the years ahead. This project will also feature a heavy Chinese involvement; a public-private partnership with Shanghai Construction Group Caribbean Limited was enacted in May 2019. The government said the Group submitted the best value proposal, coming in at under US$ 600mn less than the competing bidder.
Costa Rica’s Casino Dream
In recent decades Costa Rica has enjoyed solid economic growth. Indeed, the World Bank credits the nation as a development success story. Even in the Great Financial Crisis that brought to a sudden stop the growth of other nations‚ Costa Rica’s real GDP ultimately contracted just 1% before quickly rebounding.
Major projects like Casino City Caribe form part of San Jose’s ambitions to turn this into spectacular economic growth. By any measure, this project will be massive, with an estimated US$ 400mn price tag. Three casino hotels will be joined by a riverboat casino‚ a marina‚ 180 vacation homes‚ almost 250 apartments and a conference centre in a development led by Canadian architect Patti Rao.
First announced in 2018, the entire project was scheduled for completion by 2027 but with the expectation that numerous sections would open up along the way. When this grand vision is realised‚ Costa Rica’s new glittering jewel could rival Las Vegas and China’s Macau as great casino destinations of the world.
A Story of Nations
This list is illustrative of some of the most notable major projects in the region but it is not exhaustive. Many other projects have not featured simply because they have already won ample headlines. One need only look across Saint Lucia to see examples of this: Castries Market, Hewanorra International Airport, a new cruise port in Vieux Fort and the Pearl of the Caribbean. Just as these projects collectively confirm that the year 2020 will be an exciting one for Saint Lucia, so too do these five major projects speak to the promise and potential of broader Caribbean construction across the next 12 months.
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