CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission added the Milan-based ELC Electroconsult S.p.A firm as a geothermal energy engineer and technical advisor to the St. Lucia-based OECS Commission.
This collaboration, it said, is set to help guide geothermal energy development across the five participating member states of the OECS Geothermal Energy Capacity Building for Utilisation, Investment and Local Development (OECS GEOBUILD) Programme.
“This advisory is particularly timely as Dominica races to become the first geothermal power producer in the independent OECS and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) by as early as late 2025, an important initial milestone in the OECS Decade of Action for Sustainable Energy Development,” the OECS Commission said.
St Kitts-Nevis has emerged as the first OECS member state to seek these specialized engineering and technical services for the Nevis Electricity Company Limited (NEVLEC) as it prepares for production drilling in 2026.
“Tapping into the heat below the island’s surface, St. Kitts and Nevis hopes to produce a 30 MW geothermal power plant in Hamilton Estate, Nevis,” the OECS Commission said, adding that its partnership with ELC Electroconsult S.p.A. will provide essential support, ensuring that the twin-island federation’s geothermal potential, which, if proved successful, could be shared by interconnecting the two islands with the appropriate submarine cables.
Established in 1955, ELC Electroconsult S.p.A. is a renowned Italian engineering firm with extensive experience in studying, designing, and managing hydropower and geothermal projects worldwide.
The firm has been instrumental in numerous significant projects, including geothermal power generation initiatives in Italy and beyond. Their expertise will be invaluable as the OECS seeks to harness its geothermal potential for sustainable energy solutions.
“Bringing ELC Electroconsult on board represents a major milestone for our program. Their wealth of experience in geothermal energy will empower us to tackle the unique challenges that small island developing states face in developing this vital resource,” said Dr Ernie Stapleton, the GEOBUILD project manager.
“We are particularly excited about the prospects for member states, including St Kitts and Nevis, where local stakeholders will benefit directly from their expertise. This aligns perfectly with our goal of fostering regional integration and self-sufficiency in renewable energy,” he added.
The senior project manager at ELC Electroconsult S.p.A, Riccardo Balsotti, said the Italian company is excited to participate in this project and is eager to leverage its extensive experience and expertise in geothermal projects worldwide to support OECS countries in their initiatives.
He added, “We are committed to addressing any needs that may arise in geothermal energy development. ”
The OECS GEOBUILD Programme, supported by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the European Union Caribbean Investment Facility, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), has been steadily advancing its capacity-building initiatives. It has also built a team of international economic, social, legal, and regulatory advisors.
The OECS Commission said the addition of ELC Electroconsult is part of its mandate to equip member states with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complex web of requirements for developing geothermal energy effectively and efficiently.
The OECS Commission said it looks forward “to a fruitful collaboration with ELC Electroconsult S.p.A. as it continues to support St. Kitts and Nevis and other member states in realizing their geothermal energy ambitions.”
The OECS has independent member states: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Kitts-Nevis.
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