As part of his farewell visit to Aruba, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced that the Netherlands will provide nearly 110 million Florins (53.6 million euros) to help Aruba reinforce its electricity network and increase its capacity to absorb more solar and wind energy.
Aruba’s Prime Minister Mike Eman thanked Schoof for his visit and cooperation on several major projects, including the dismantling and environmental cleanup of the former refinery site in San Nicolas. The Aruban government plans to redevelop the area for renewable and sustainable energy initiatives, marking a major step toward the island’s clean energy future.
Prime Minister Schoof also pledged technical assistance from Dutch experts in refinery decommissioning and environmental remediation, emphasizing the importance of climate cooperation across the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
During his address, Schoof highlighted climate change, regional security, and ongoing cooperation within the Kingdom, noting that both the Dutch Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs are closely monitoring geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean.
In connection with the COP30 Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil, Schoof underscored the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C and praised Aruba’s government for its bold decision to repurpose the refinery site for sustainable development.
“This is not an easy decision,” Schoof said. “But it’s a historic and crucial step for Aruba. The Netherlands will continue to support Aruba’s energy transition through concrete financial and technical assistance.”
While the Dutch leader confirmed the total amount of 110 million Florins, he did not specify whether the support would come as a grant, loan, or technical aid package.
Schoof concluded his remarks by reaffirming the importance of regional cooperation and equality among the Kingdom’s countries, before departing for Colombia to attend the EU–Latin America Summit.
Prime Minister Eman expressed his gratitude for the Netherlands’ continued support and for Schoof’s role in strengthening relations between Aruba and the Kingdom.
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