Registration has started for the 2024 Christmas Lighting competition (see Wednesday newspaper) on the French side. There used to be a popular similar tradition on the Dutch side too, until halted a few years ago.
Some still find that a pity, because it helped create a holiday atmosphere on the entire island by stimulating businesses and residents to light up their homes, properties and surroundings in a festive manner. Locals as well as residents seemed to enjoy the decorations, even taking drives just to admire them.
After all GEBE customers have been through since the ransomware cyber attack of 2022 up to the past five months’ frequent prolonged power cuts, perhaps they might want to consider bringing back and sponsoring a St. Maarten Christmas Lighting Contest offering attractive prizes. This could no doubt add to the end-of-year celebrations.
Of course, one can argue that doing so will only increase the use of already lacking electricity. Especially with LED lights the excess demand is probably minimal, but it should obviously only be done if production capacity has stabilised.
The new lease-to-purchase generators totalling 20 megawatts will be helpful when operational about a month from now, but keep in mind that the rented containerised units brought in earlier must be returned. This means it’s imperative to keep several of the government-owned utility company’s own older engines running, while new ones are ordered, built, shipped and installed.
Nevertheless, once the situation allows such, seeing the country lit up like in the old days is likely to uplift people’s spirits following what has been a very difficult period. It would be a nice and probably well-appreciated gesture.
