The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing geothermal energy in the region at a high-level summit in Florida.
A panel at the 17th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF), held in Miami, highlighted the growing viability of geothermal energy as a clean, reliable baseload power source for the Caribbean region.
CREF is the Caribbean’s largest annual gathering for clean energy stakeholders, including government leaders, utilities, investors and private firms.
Key projects highlighted included Grenada’s plans to commence exploration drilling in 2026.
“If successful, the 15-megawatt base load capacity [geothermal plant] will provide 40% of our energy supply needed for all households in Grenada,” said Kerryne James, Grenada’s Minister of Climate Resilience.
“It has been a long journey to get to where we are — two-and-a-half years sometimes feel like 10 — but we are staying the course.”
The need for innovative financing models and enhanced regional collaboration to accelerate deployment and shorten project timelines was also addressed.
James also highlighted the value of regional collaboration and capacity building through the OECS Geothermal Energy Capacity Building for Utilisation, Investment and Local Development (OECS GEOBUILD) programme.
“OECS, in the whole process with the GEOBUILD project, has been giving us the advantage and the environment for us to learn and grow from our regional partners. It has the potential of giving us not only energy security [but] the opportunity to redefine regional integration; redefine how we collaborate amongst ourselves in the region.”
Progress was also highlighted in Dominica’s ongoing development of a geothermal plant, expected to be completed by December, as well as forthcoming drilling in St Kitts and Nevis.
Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, stressed the significance of geothermal in enabling small island developing states to establish clean, dependable and sustainable energy infrastructure.
Other participants at the CREF event included clean energy equipment supplier, Exergy International and Dominica Geothermal Development Company.