OECS to Host Participatory Webinar on Geothermal Lessons Learned
Press Release: OECS Commission
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, through the GEOBUILD Programme, in collaboration with the Regional Economic Advisor (REA), will host a Participatory Webinar Workshop on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, with invited key stakeholders under the theme: “Turning Experience into Action: Applying 20+ Years of Geothermal Lessons for Future Success.”
This important regional event aims to capture reflections and feedback from key stakeholders involved in geothermal energy development across the Caribbean. Insights from the workshop will guide the finalisation of a Handbook of Geothermal Development Lessons in the Caribbean, which will later be launched and disseminated to inform future policy and project decisions. The workshop’s outcomes are also expected to contribute to the OECS’ broader efforts to scale up renewable energy deployment and enhance energy security across the region.
The participatory workshop forms a central part of the Regional Economic Advisor’s assignment under a framework contract with the OECS. It seeks to create a platform for knowledge exchange, open dialogue, and collaboration among professionals, policymakers, and practitioners in the geothermal energy sector.
Workshop Objectives
The workshop will:
- Facilitate open dialogue among stakeholders to identify key challenges, successes, and best practices from past and present geothermal projects.
- Provide a platform for knowledge exchange and sharing of diverse perspectives.
- Gather feedback and suggestions for advancing geothermal energy development in the OECS.
- Seek stakeholder input using the Objective Oriented Project Planning (OOPP) approach with interactive tools such as Mentimeter.
- Synthesize findings into actionable lessons to be incorporated into the final Lessons Learned Handbook.
During the webinar, the Regional Economic Advisor, Mr. Migara Jayawardena, with input from AMALA Clean Energy Advisors, will present key findings from his ongoing review of geothermal initiatives in the region. The discussion will centre on five thematic areas, including insights on mobilizing risk capital, augmenting domestic capacity, integrating geothermal in small island grids, securing financing, and adhering to international environmental and social safeguards. Member States will also share their experiences through structured, participatory discussions developed jointly by the OECS Commission and the REA, reflecting on the history, progress, and challenges of geothermal development within their jurisdictions.
The Lessons Learned Handbook
The Handbook of Geothermal Development Lessons in the Caribbean will serve as a comprehensive resource for policymakers, project managers, and stakeholders. It will document over two decades of regional experience and provide:
- A detailed overview of geothermal projects across OECS Member States.
- Lessons learned in project management, financing, stakeholder engagement, policy, and environmental and social safeguards.
- Recommendations for overcoming common challenges in geothermal energy development.
- Case studies highlighting both successful and challenging initiatives.
- Best practice guidance on policy frameworks, business models, and risk mitigation approaches aligned with international standards.
Unlocking the OECS Geothermal Potential
The Eastern Caribbean possesses significant geothermal potential, especially within the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc. However, despite its promise, development progress has been constrained by high upfront investment costs, exploration risks, regulatory gaps, limited public awareness, and technical capacity constraints.
The OECS GEOBUILD Programme is addressing these barriers through a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach that strengthens institutional frameworks, builds local expertise, and fosters regional cooperation.
About the GEOBUILD Programme
The Geothermal Energy: Capacity Building for Utilisation, Investment and Local Development (GEOBUILD) Programme is an initiative of the OECS Commission 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:
- Strengthening institutional and technical capacities.
- Providing expert advisory services.
- Enhancing public awareness and stakeholder engagement.
- Promoting direct uses of geothermal energy for local economic development.
The Programme also collaborates with international partners such as the Government of New Zealand and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to leverage global expertise and best practices for sustainable energy transformation in the Eastern Caribbean.
Webinar Information:
Date: November 12, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Webinar Link: https://meet.google.com/vth-ftnj-xsd
Danny Moonie
OECS Communications Unit