OECS Commission Hosts Successful Workshop on “Geothermal Lessons Learned” as Part of CARICOM Energy Month 2025

The Sustainable Energy Unit (SEU) of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission successfully convened a high-level virtual participatory workshop on November 12, 2025, bringing together geothermal stakeholders from across the region to reflect on more than two decades of development efforts and refine a strategic direction for the future.

Held under the theme, “Turning Experience into Action: Applying 20+ Years of Geothermal Lessons for Future Success,” the workshop formed part of the SEU’s official activities for CARICOM Energy Month 2025, celebrated under the theme, “Invest, Innovate, Sustain: Leading the Charge in Renewable Energy Frontiers.” During the session, the SEU presented its 20/20 Vision, a synthesis of 20 key lessons derived from surveys, interviews, research, and consultations with stakeholders across the Eastern Caribbean. Participants reviewed these findings and provided insightful feedback to help shape the next steps. More than forty diverse participants enriched the discussion with perspectives spanning policy, technical design, financing, community engagement, and institutional capacity.

Delivering opening remarks, Ms Judith Ephraim Schmidt, Programme Director for Sustainable Energy at the OECS Commission, underscored the crucial link between geothermal development and the wider regional aspirations.

“CARICOM Energy Month reminds us that geothermal energy is not just a sustainable energy pursuit but a regional development pursuit,” she stated. “Across the eight OECS Member States exploring geothermal energy, we share a common aspiration to harness the geothermal power beneath our feet, to light our homes, drive our industries, and secure a cleaner, more resilient future.”

Ms Ephraim Schmidt noted that geothermal exploration in the region dates back to the 1950s and highlighted the value of the region’s accumulated experience.

“This workshop provides an invaluable opportunity to pause, reflect, and learn,” she added. “Lessons learned are not only about understanding what went wrong. They are equally about recognising what worked, identifying areas to scale up, and determining how we can move forward more effectively together.”

Participants from Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guadeloupe, international financial institutions, and private sector investors contributed to rich, interactive exchanges. Dominica’s steady progress on the construction of a geothermal plant was highlighted as a model of perseverance, strong leadership, and policy continuity, demonstrating what is possible with commitment and sustained support.

The workshop also acknowledged the crucial contributions of development partners, including the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the European Union Caribbean Investment Facility (EU-CIF), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Their continued support strengthens regional capacity and accelerates geothermal development.

Importantly, the insights captured during the session will inform the Handbook of Geothermal Development Lessons in the Caribbean, a landmark publication under the OECS GEOBUILD Programme. The Handbook will serve as both a comprehensive record of regional experiences and a practical guide for future geothermal investments and project planning.

The OECS Commission extends its sincere appreciation to all participants, partners, and contributors for their valuable engagement. It reaffirms its commitment to advancing sustainable energy development and energy resilience across the Eastern Caribbean.

About the GEOBUILD Programme

The Geothermal Energy: Capacity Building for Utilisation, Investment and Local Development (GEOBUILD) Programme is an OECS Commission initiative designed to unlock geothermal potential in Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the European Union Caribbean Investment Facility (EU-CIF), GEOBUILD focuses on:

The Programme also works closely with international partners, including the Government of New Zealand and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), to apply global expertise and best practices in advancing the region’s sustainable energy transition.