The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and New Zealand have signed a partnership agreement to advance the development of geothermal energy within the Caribbean.
The partnership signals a major step in the development of a clean and indigenous energy source in the Eastern Caribbean. The first geothermal power plant in the OECS Member States is set to be completed in Dominica this year while work continues in other Caribbean countries to advance geothermal projects.
Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS, highlighted the critical role geothermal plays in the region’s sustainable development, stating, “We are beyond exploration now. The Commission recognises the broader potential of geothermal energy and is developing a geothermal direct use strategy to 2035. This strategy will focus on key sectors, including agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, and will incorporate feasibility studies, regulatory frameworks and a cross-sector working group.”
The partnership builds on New Zealand’s substantial commitment to geothermal development in the Caribbean over the last decade.
Ambassador of New Zealand to the OECS, Linda Te Puni, said, “Currently, we are conducting a capacity building gap analysis for geothermal energy development to identify priority training actions to be delivered regionally in collaboration with the OECS GEOBUILD Programme. Through this project, New Zealand is looking forward to further contributing to the building of geothermal technical expertise in the region and to deepening the connections between New Zealand and the Caribbean."
The partnership will play a crucial role in advancing OECS’s renewable energy development and reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels.