The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has made a significant commitment to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future by adopting the influential Basseterre Declaration during its Third Council of Ministers: Energy meeting, which convened on February 4-5, 2025, in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The Basseterre Declaration initiated the OECS Decade of Action for Sustainable Energy Development, which will span from 2025 to 2035. During this meeting, ministers pledged to ensure that all Member States achieve universal access to clean energy solutions that are affordable, resilient, and dependable.
Geothermal energy is an area that will be explored by the ambitious agenda. Dominca’s ongoing geothermal project, carded for completion by December 2025, will be the second such facility in the region, the first being located in Guadeloupe.
This agreement aslo aims to significantly boost the production of other renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen, all customized to meet the unique needs of the region.
The Decade of Action is poised to bring tangible advantages to the people of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. Citizens can anticipate lower utility bills as dependence on costly imported fossil fuels decreases and energy efficiency measures take hold.
Furthermore, the transition to a green economy will spur job creation in emerging industries like renewable energy maintenance, energy-efficient technologies, electric vehicle infrastructure, and environmentally friendly building practices.
Strengthening and diversifying the energy sector will also bolster the region’s ability to withstand both natural disasters and economic shocks. Finally, economic growth is projected to accelerate as money previously spent on foreign fuel is redirected into local businesses and initiatives.
The success of this ambitious strategy hinges on effective cooperation among governments, private sector players, and local communities. The OECS Commission has been tasked with creating an OECS Sustainable Energy Greenprint, which will serve as a detailed framework for action, advocacy, awareness, and tracking progress throughout the Decade.
This initiative aligns with the existing OECS Sustainable Energy Framework and builds on previous efforts such as the Eastern Caribbean Solar Challenge and the OECS GEOBUILD geothermal development program. Together, these initiatives will significantly contribute to achieving the overarching goal of utilizing clean and local energy to foster transformation and growth within the OECS region.
The Basseterre Declaration comes at a critical time, as renewable energy is anticipated to become the predominant source of electricity generation worldwide this year, fulfilling over one-third of global electricity demand, per the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Ministers have urged regional and global partners, private sector stakeholders, financial institutions, and academic bodies to support this groundbreaking initiative through technical assistance, investment, and the exchange of knowledge.
According to the Basseterre Declaration, this sustainable energy transition embodies a transformative opportunity for the region’s economic renewal, representing a vital step towards Caribbean development. The declaration stresses that this transition is not only an environmental necessity but will also be a socio-economic boon, enhancing resilience and reducing the reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Of course, the people of this region will be most elated to be provided with a cheaper cleaner source of energy.
The high cost to generate electricity using fossil fuel is a serious hindrance to economic development. However, this specific meeting by the energy ministers is more talk and wishful thinking. How do I know? This is their modus operandi. Blah! Blah! Blah!
The administrations in Dominica and Nevis have been touting about geothermal energy for well over a decade. All that they have accomplished for all these years are some deep and wide holes disfiguring the beautiful landscape.