The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission announced a partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to accelerate geothermal energy development across Member States. The partnership, organized through IRENA’s SIDS Lighthouses Initiative (LHI) and the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA), seeks to enhance stakeholder engagement and capacity building via the OECS Commission’s GEOBUILD Programme.
Geothermal Roadmap for Member States
The partnership will create a detailed roadmap to involve stakeholders such as local communities, government officials, and private sector representatives in geothermal energy projects. Member States, including Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will benefit from this targeted strategy to advance geothermal development, decrease fossil fuel dependence, and enhance economic resilience.
The GEOBUILD Programme, backed by the Caribbean Development Bank’s GeoSmart Initiative, has enhanced geothermal development capacity throughout the OECS. Furthermore, support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the EU Caribbean Investment Facility (EU-CIF) has further amplified the programme’s effectiveness.
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Transforming Energy in the OECS
Geothermal energy could greatly reduce electricity costs in OECS Member States, which currently face high prices due to imported fossil fuels. Dominica will lead by opening the first geothermal power plant in the English-speaking OECS and CARICOM by late 2025. This initiative follows the successful example of Guadeloupe, which has been producing geothermal energy since 1986.
Dr Ernie Stapleton, Project Manager at the OECS Commission said, “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. This approach not only enhances project acceptance but also empowers local stakeholders to take an active role in shaping their energy future.”
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Empowering Local Communities
The partnership prioritizes community involvement, ensuring that villages near geothermal sites actively engage in decision-making. Capacity-building efforts will provide stakeholders with crucial skills and knowledge, helping develop local expertise to sustain long-term energy transitions.
Utilizing geothermal resources will generate employment, boost local economies, and reduce consumer energy costs. As a clean, renewable energy source, geothermal significantly cuts greenhouse gas emissions and strengthens energy independence.