CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission says it has completed a landmark study tour and technical workshop in Guadeloupe, marking “a significant step forward in strengthening the region’s capacity and collaboration for sustainable geothermal energy development”.
The event stated that it brought together technical officers, project coordinators, and government and community representatives from OECS member states to gain firsthand insights from Guadeloupe’s operational Bouillante geothermal plant and its robust local governance framework.
The study tour of Guadeloupe was held under the OECS Geothermal Energy Capacity Building for Utilisation, Investment and Local Development (OECS GEOBUILD), a programme aimed at unlocking the geothermal energy potential in five OECS member states, namely Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The programme aims to deliver economic and environmental benefits beyond electric power generation, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the region. It is supported by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the European Union Caribbean Investment Facility (CIF), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The OECS GEOBUILD team also met with Ywenn De La Torre, Regional Director of the French Geological Survey (BRGM), to explore future partnerships in research, technical advisory services, and capacity-building.
The Commission said that this partnership is expected to support the emerging Caribbean Geothermal Centre of Excellence, further enhancing regional expertise and innovation.
It stated that in the future, the following steps will include enhancing technical and institutional capacity for geothermal project planning, management, and community engagement, as well as adopting best practices in environmental and regulatory frameworks, drawing on Guadeloupe’s experience.
The Commission is also hoping for strengthened regional partnerships and commitment to continuous training, knowledge exchange, and recommendations for national and regional communication strategies to build public support and demystify geothermal energy.
The tour and workshop focused on capacity building, knowledge transfer, and fostering regional partnerships to accelerate geothermal projects across the Eastern Caribbean.
A statement from the St. Lucia-based OECS Commission noted that participants engaged directly with plant operators, regulatory authorities, and government leaders, learning about Guadeloupe’s journey from early exploration in the 1960s to its current status as the Caribbean’s first operational geothermal facility since 1986.
The Bouillante plant now supplies between six and seven per cent of Guadeloupe’s electricity, with expansion plans underway to increase capacity to 20 MW by 2026.
The study tour was conducted under the theme: “From the Ground Up: Strengthening Capacity and Community Engagement for Sustainable Geothermal Development in the OECS”.
The Commission said that a workshop in Guadeloupe featured presentations on regulatory frameworks, environmental safeguards, and community engagement, with updates from Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines on their respective geothermal projects.
“These exchanges provided practical tools and peer learning opportunities, helping member states address technical, regulatory, and social challenges unique to geothermal development,” the Commission said.
Sylvie Vanoukia, President of the Energy Commission of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe and representative to the OECS Council of Ministers, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in the pursuit of geothermal power.
“This workshop is a significant moment, one where the voices of island territories intersect, listen to each other and mutually strength, because what we have in common beyond our Caribbean identity are the challenges in terms of energy, major challenges that we’re facing, challenges that require vision, political willingness and strengthen cooperation between our states and regions.”
Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, Kerryne James, also highlighted the regional significance in a recorded message to the workshop.
“None of this would be happening without the definitive leadership of Guadeloupe in pioneering geothermal energy development in the Caribbean. The Bouillante facility stands as a singular example in our region of a functioning geothermal power plant.
“This study tour is part of a regional learning process. Grenada is behind some of our OECS neighbours in the delivery of geothermal energy, but we are determined to learn and to lead where we can. We believe that a successful path to geothermal development in our region must be paved with open engagement, evidence-based planning, and mutual support.”
Dominica is on track to join Guadeloupe as the second geothermal energy producer in the OECS and the first in CARICOM with the completion of a 10MW plant at Laudat in the Roseau Valley by the end of this year.
Grenada plans to open its geothermal resources to exploration by 2026.
The project manager of the OECS GEOBUILD Programme, Dr. Ernie Stapleton, stated that the Bouillante experience underscored the crucial role of local leadership and community engagement in developing and sustaining successful geothermal initiatives.
“The Bouillante geothermal plant stands as a beacon of what is possible when technical excellence meets community partnership. Through your shared experiences…particularly around the history of geothermal development here, the tangible benefits to the community, and the valuable lessons learned, you are equipping our member states not just with information, but with inspiration.”
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