ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC- The Antigua and Barbuda government has signaled its intention to acquire an equity stake in the geothermal energy project now under development in Nevis, as part of wider Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) efforts to strengthen regional energy cooperation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
“There’s no reason, on the basis that it’s commercially viable, that Antigua can’t take an equity stake,” Prime Minister Gaston Browne said, noting that the proposal would allow Antigua and Barbuda to invest directly in the renewable energy initiative, provided it proves commercially viable.
He said the longer-term vision could include establishing a transmission link to supply Antigua and Barbuda with base-load geothermal energy from Nevis, thereby reducing the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
“If we’re able to get that kind of base load energy … then it reduces the amount of fossil fuel energy that we have to purchase,” Browne said.
The St. Lucia-based OECS Commission hailed the Nevis Geothermal Forum held in June last year as a watershed moment for the region’s sustainable energy ambitions.
Island Innovation organised the forum in collaboration with the Nevis Island Administration and the OECS GEOBUILD Programme as a prelude to the Global Sustainable Island Summit (GSIS) in St Kitts and Nevis.
The forum convened government leaders, technical experts, international partners, and private sector stakeholders to accelerate geothermal development across the OECS.
Nevis plans to build a 30-megawatt power plant, with the potential to develop other energy-based industries and connect with its sister island, St Kitts. Production drilling to drive the plan is expected to begin in 2026.
Dominica is on the verge of commissioning a geothermal plant project with a budget of approximately US$34.8 million sourced from various sources, including the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Green Climate Fund.
Dominica will become the first independent OECS member state to develop geothermal power, while Grenada is at a bidding stage, with the United Kingdom approving £10 million (EC$36.5 million) in grant funding for exploratory drilling and plans to supply domestic demand. The CDB had also approved US$9.4 million for drilling two slimhole wells under its GeoSmart Initiative.
With the assistance of the World Bank. St. Lucia’s geothermal development project is advancing with civil works tenders, environmental and social impact assessments, and plans for community benefits, including improved infrastructure.
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