Advancing Geothermal Energy in the Eastern Caribbean

Geothermal energy is the energy from the earth's core in the form of heat. Geothermal energy can be used for electricity generation and for direct uses such as heating or cooling. The first recorded use of the geothermal resources of the Caribbean was by the Arawaks, who used hot springs for bathing and cooking. The region also has a long history of geothermal energy exploration efforts for electricity production in an effort to develop this indigenous renewable energy source that has the potential to positively transform the energy mix of the region . The first and only operating geothermal power plant to date in the Caribbean is located in Guadeloupe. This plant has a current installed capacity of 15 megawatts and there are plans to double the electricity production from geothermal energy in Guadeloupe. Additionally, seven (7) other OECS Member States are also pursuing the development of Geothermal Energy: The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Martinique, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has been supporting Member States in building their capacity for geothermal development to meet the domestic electricity consumption of their populations through clean, renewable, and sustainable geothermal energy. Successful development of geothermal energy has the potential to reduce the cost of electricity which can spur economic development, eliminate the reliance on imported fuel that will produce savings from the increasing cost of fossil fuel immediately, and provide price stability and energy security for the long term. This could also support green jobs and ultimately improve the quality of life in the OECS. However, except for Guadeloupe, geothermal energy technology is new to the OECS region. Furthermore, geothermal projects are complex, require a lot of capital and have unique technical challenges, especially in the Exploration Stage which need to be addressed. There is a clear need for building the capacity of the OECS in areas of related sciences, engineering, legal and policy development and economic analyses to ensure the successful management of region’s geothermal projects.The Geothermal Energy: Capacity Building for Utilization Investment and Local Development (GEOBUILD) Project was designed to respond directly to these capacity challenges and the needs of the five (5) participating OECS Member states.

The Geothermal Energy: Capacity Building for Utilisation, Investment and Local Development (GEOBUILD) Project

The Geothermal Energy: Capacity Building for Utilisation, Investment and Local Development (GEOBUILD) project provides specialised advisory support, analysis and capacity building for geothermal energy development based on the following needs of the benefiting countries:

Benefitting Countries

The Geothermal Energy: Capacity Building for Utilisation, Investment and Local Development (GEOBUILD) project aims to enhance geothermal energy development in the OECS and the wider Caribbean by addressing the challenges and limited capacities concerning human resources, institutions and regulatory framework for geothermal energy development. This project will benefit five (5) eligible OECS Member States: Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Commonwealth of Dominica

Grenada

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

GOALS

The project aims to deliver capacity building for all stages of geothermal development, supports the enabling policy and legislative framework development, project design and power planning, and the business model for sustainable geothermal development. The four components of the project are

Capacity Building for Planning, Exploration and Project Management.
Enhancing Policy, Legislative and Regulatory Environment.
Knowledge Management and Public Awareness; and
Regional Coordination and Sharing for Geothermal Energy.

Activities

#	Activities
1	Soft launch of GEOBUILD- November 7-8, 2022, at the 9th Geothermal Congress for Latin America and the Caribbean (GEOLAC), in Mexico City, Mexico. Following the launch, a Breakfast Meeting was held at GEOLAC to facilitate high-level dialogue and engagement to help set priorities and mobilize early action.
2	Training workshop –“Project Financing and Facilitation in the Caribbean,” 28^th November to 2^nd December 2022, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hosted in partnership with International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in on “Capacity building on the use of tools such as Financial Modelling and the Power Purchase Agreements in the development of renewable energy.
3	Geothermal Study Tour to Dominica, 3rd to the 5th of April 2023. The objectives of the study tour were to 1. Gather information about lessons learned by the Dominica Drilling Team concerning the implementation of the geothermal exploration and drilling phase in the development of geothermal energy in the Commonwealth of Dominica. 2. To get a better understanding of delivering a drilling programme in the Eastern Caribbean – management of costs, contracts, activities, civil works requirements, public awareness and information, and safety and environmental safeguards. 3. To build capacity in the member states in terms of drilling for geothermal energy and 4. To foster regional cooperation and collaboration within the OECS region.