OECS Commission commemorates World Geothermal Day during CARICOM Energy Month

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission celebrated World Geothermal Day yesterday, emphasizing the region’s notable progress in utilizing this renewable energy source. This event also serves as a precursor to the forthcoming Third Council of Ministers: Energy, themed “Sustainable Energy: Creating Opportunities for Reinventing the Economy of the OECS,” which will take place at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort in Basseterre on November 5-6, coinciding with CARICOM Energy Month.

“The Third Council of Ministers: Energy comes at a crucial time as we intensify our efforts to achieve energy independence and mitigate climate change impacts,” stated Judith Ephraim-Schmidt, Programme Director for the OECS Commission’s Sustainable Energy Unit.

The OECS region, rich in geothermal resources, is committed to advancing this clean energy through the OECS GEOBUILD Programme. This initiative showcases regional collaboration, enhancing capabilities for geothermal energy use, investment, and local development across five participating Member States. The upcoming Council of Ministers meeting will provide detailed updates on geothermal projects in the region, including significant advancements in Dominica and promising developments in Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Additionally, ministers will explore wider renewable energy initiatives and strategies to expedite the region’s shift towards sustainable energy sources.

Dominica is on the verge of transforming its economy and moving closer to its ambition of being entirely powered by renewable energy with the establishment of the first geothermal power plant in CARICOM. This 10-megawatt facility, located in the extensive geothermal field at Laudat in Roseau Valley, is projected to supply clean energy to approximately 23,000 homes by the end of 2025.

Guadeloupe, a member of the OECS, has been at the forefront of geothermal energy development in the region since 1986. Its power plant, situated at Bouillante on the west coast of Basse-Terre Island, initially operated with a 5-megawatt capacity. In 2003, an additional 10-megawatt generator was installed, tripling its output. A third phase of expansion is currently in progress, which will increase the total capacity to 25 megawatts. This is particularly noteworthy as, despite the potential advantages of geothermal energy for island nations, global development of such projects remains limited.

Discussions at the Council of Ministers will also include the OECS Solar Challenge and the E-Mobility initiative. The Solar Challenge aims to enhance the adoption of solar energy, with a goal of installing at least 6.5 megawatts of new solar photovoltaic capacity in the Eastern Caribbean. Meanwhile, the E-Mobility initiative is focused on facilitating the transition to electric vehicles, establishing the necessary infrastructure, and offering policy support for decision-makers in Member States, all of which are small island developing states (SIDS) facing the impacts of climate change.

“World Geothermal Day provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on our progress and reaffirm our commitment to sustainable energy solutions,” remarked Dr Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS.