The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is progressing its geothermal drill rig feasibility study, engaging Italy’s ELC‑Electroconsult S.p.A., while St. Kitts and Nevis has received five international bids for the Nevis geothermal production drilling contract—with a winning firm to be announced by end of July 2025.
The geothermal drill rig feasibility study aims to assess whether a shared rig model could deliver cost-effective, sustainable results tailored to OECS Member States’ needs—especially by reducing expensive mobilisation and demobilisation costs. A shared rig would allow coordinated exploration and production campaigns, facilitating geothermal development across six Caribbean islands.
Meanwhile, St Kitts and Nevis has reached a pivotal milestone in its geothermal push. Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew confirmed five bids from Iceland Drilling Company, Marriott Drilling, Consortium Drilling (UK), Ormat Technologies Inc., and IPS‑USA, with the production drilling contractor to be named by end of July 2025. Drilling is slated to begin in early 2026 at the Hamilton Estate site, a key installation in the 30‑MW geothermal power plant project.
Dr. Ernie Stapleton, Project Manager for OECS GEOBUILD, emphasised that the feasibility study, once complete, will guide member states and international funders on acquiring a drill rig for drilling, expanding and maintaining geothermal production. Findings will be presented to the OECS Council of Ministers: Energy.
A dedicated rig could also unlock direct-use geothermal applications—such as tourism, food processing, crop drying and greenhouse heating—supporting broader economic development beyond power generation.
Six OECS Member States—Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Montserrat—possess volcanic geothermal potential. Dominica leads the region, currently building a 10‑MW plant in Laudat, to be operational by Christmas 2025. Meanwhile, Nevis is advancing its geothermal programmes, with production drilling bids expected to start in 2026.
Prime Minister Drew noted that US$37 million (around EC$100 million) in funding has been secured from the Caribbean Development Bank, Inter‑American Development Bank and Saudi Fund for Development. After the drilling contractor is selected, preparations will begin for plant construction and subsea cable installation to St. Kitts.
As the region embraces geothermal energy to bolster energy sovereignty, the combined approach of assessing a shared rig and securing top-tier drilling partners signals a major push towards sustainable, cost-effective, and regionally integrated clean energy development.
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