The initiative will particularly focus on Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The project will be executed as part of the OECS Commission’s Geothermal Energy: Capacity Building for Utilisation, Investment and Local Development (GEOBUILD) Programme. The GEOBUILD programme is funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with finance from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union Caribbean Investment Facility (EU-CIF) through CDB’s GeoSmart Initiative. The programme seeks to harness the region’s geothermal potential to provide sustainable energy solutions, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and promote economic resilience.
“The partnership with IRENA represents a pivotal step forward in our efforts to develop geothermal energy in the OECS. By fostering a robust stakeholder engagement, we can ensure that the voices of our communities are heard and that their needs are integrated into our energy strategies,” said Dr Ernie Stapleton, Project Manager at the OECS Commission.
Improving geothermal stakeholder engagement
By working closely with IRENA, the OECS Commission aims to engage local communities, government officials, and private stakeholders about the benefits and opportunities associated with geothermal energy development which could transform economies and heighten energy independence and security in the OECS.
Promoting inclusive community involvement
IRENA’s involvement will provide technical expertise and best practices to support the OECS in fostering effective stakeholder engagement, ensuring diverse perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes. This partnership reflects IRENA’s commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States in their transition to renewable energy sources and facilitating inclusive dialogues that drive sustainable development.
“By harnessing the power of collaboration, we aim to ensure local priorities are at the heart of these efforts, building capacity, strengthening resilience, and delivering sustainable energy solutions that secure a more sustainable and prosperous future for OECS Member States,” said Gurbuz Gonul, Director of Country Engagement and Partnerships, IRENA.
The project fosters inclusive community involvement, empowering local villages near geothermal sites to actively engage in decision-making processes and voice their concerns. Additionally, it focuses on capacity building by equipping stakeholders with essential knowledge and skills. This approach not only builds local expertise but also ensures that communities are prepared to lead and sustain their energy transitions.
Harnessing geothermal resources can provide benefits both economically and environmentally. Not only does it provide a clean and renewable energy source with vastly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but it provides jobs and stimulates economics by supplying energy at lower costs for consumers. These benefits position the OECS member states to advance sustainable energy development while enhancing economic stability and environmental sustainability.
In late 2023, the GEOBUILD programme held a workshop in Grenada to provide training in communicating about geothermal energy, with emphasis on how geothermal can be used for direct applications that can create economic and social opportunities for member states.
The programme also held a study tour for representatives from Eastern Caribbean countries to the ongoing geothermal project in Dominica. Building on the success of Guadeloupe, which has been generating geothermal power since 1986 and is expanding its capacity, Dominica is set to make history as the first geothermal power station in the English-speaking OECS and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) by late 2025.
