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Saint Lucia calls for functional cooperation on geothermal development in the Caribbean

Saint Lucia calls for functional cooperation on geothermal development in the Caribbean Discussions at Geothermal Workshop in Saint Lucia, December 2018 (source: video screenshot/ OECS)
Alexander Richter 9 Dec 2018

Saint Lucia is calling for wider functional cooperation and support for geothermal development across the region of the Eastern Caribbean at a recent regional geothermal workshop held in cooperation with IRENA, the World Bank and the International Geothermal Association.

At this week’s geothermal events on Saint Lucia, we reported on it, experts from industry and representatives from Caribbean islands discussed the future of geothermal development in the region.

While several territories of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States are pushing their own domestic agendas in geothermal development, the roundtable discussion this week in Saint Lucia also highlighted the need for cooperation. Saint Lucia’s Minister for Energy, Honorable Stephenson King said that “the climate is opportune for strategic and collaborative approach to geothermal resources in (the) small economies (of the Caribbean).

He urged the OECS to speak with a cohesive voice and work to establish a joint vision for a geothermal industry across the region, pooling resources together.

Recently, it was announced that the $20 million geothermal project in St. Vincent & the Grenadines has been kicked off with a drilling contract recently signed. Furthermore the geothermal project in Dominica is looking at ways to export geothermal power to the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Challenges for development in the region are very similar, mostly due to a lack in funding. The Minister further highlighted the value in developing a strategy that would support the individual efforts and in parallel provide functional support in regional cooperation on geothermal development.

The event was organised by OECS, IRENA, the World Bank and the International Geothermal Association.

“The event highlighted the strong role geothermal energy can play in the Caribbean to provide a hurricane resilient, cost efficient and reliable source of energy around the clock. With the ongoing development, things are looking up for a further push, while more regional cooperation and wider financial support is needed to see further development.”, so Dr. Marit Brommer, Executive Director of IGA commenting on the event.

The IGA with the support of IRENA and the World Bank also held a workshop on UNFC Specifications for geothermal resources as part of the events.

Source: The Voice