Basseterre, St. Kitts. February 5, 2025. Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew while delivering the feature address at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers: Energy Meeting on February 4, reinforced his strong advocacy for sustainable energy transition in St. Kitts and Nevis and the broader OECS region. The Prime Minister’s speech highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving energy security and economic resilience through renewable energy initiatives.
Dr. Drew emphasized that sustainable energy is not merely a policy objective but an economic enabler capable of redefining the development trajectory of the OECS. He acknowledged regional energy vulnerabilities but added he believed that collective reduction of dependence on fossil fuels is an economic necessity, ensuring cost stability, energy security, and affordability for the region’s citizens.
To illustrate the power of collective action, Prime Minister Drew cited two key examples. He highlighted the OECS’ ability to negotiate and purchase insulin as a unified body, significantly reducing costs for member states.
Secondly, he pointed to the collaboration between his government and the leader of the opposition, who is also the Premier of Nevis, in securing financing for geothermal energy development. This partnership has led to the successful raising of necessary funds, ensuring that geothermal energy will become a reality for St. Kitts and Nevis.
Prime Minister Drew also outlined the opportunities presented by the transition to sustainable energy, including job creation, investment attraction, and technological advancements. He underscored the role of utility-scale renewable projects, energy efficiency measures, and emerging technologies like green hydrogen in securing the region’s energy future.
“The road to economic resilience in the OECS is paved with clean energy solutions… Renewable energy will be the backbone of our key industries, including agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, ensuring their sustainability for generations to come,” Dr. Drew noted.
The Prime Minister repeatedly spoke on the importance of regional integration in energy transition efforts and advocated for interconnection projects such as submarine energy cables to facilitate cross-border electricity trade. To support his advocacy, he pointed to advancements in geothermal energy in Guadeloupe and Martinique as models for broader regional strategies.
Additionally, he called for an expansion of initiatives like the Eastern Caribbean Solar Challenge to promote greater solar energy adoption.
While acknowledging the challenges in securing financing for renewable energy projects, Dr. Drew urged governments to pursue concessional financing, leverage public-private partnerships, and explore innovative funding mechanisms such as green bonds and blended finance models. He emphasized that institutions like the Caribbean Development Bank play a vital role in de-risking investments and creating an enabling environment for clean energy financing.
Prime Minister Drew urged OECS leaders to move beyond pilot projects and feasibility studies and commit to full-scale implementation of sustainable energy initiatives. He also noted that strong leadership, policy direction, and regulatory frameworks are crucial in providing stability for investors and prioritizing renewable energy adoption across all sectors.
“This meeting must not just be another conversation; it must be a platform for decisive action. Our citizens are looking to us to deliver on the promise of a sustainable energy future,” he reminded his regional counterparts.
Since coming to office in 2022, Prime Minister Drew has been pushing his sustainable agenda, which he sees as a major step in weathering external shocks and climate change.
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