OECS launches study on shared drill rig for geothermal energy development in its member states

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission is moving to strengthen energy security and advancing the transition to renewable energy in the sub-region with the launch of a comprehensive feasibility study on acquiring a geothermal drill rig for shared use by OECS Member States.

This research is being conducted by Italian firm, ELC-Electroconsult S.p.A., the regional engineering and technical advisor, which is one of six consultancies hired to provide technical assistance and advisory services to beneficiary member states under the OECS GEOBUILD Programme, the OECS states in a release.

“The drive to advance geothermal energy development is in response to the urgent need to reduce the region’s heavy dependence on imported petroleum fuels, which has long contributed to high energy costs, economic vulnerability, and foreign exchange pressures across the Eastern Caribbean,” is also states.

Dominica is set to join Guadeloupe with a geothermal power plant, expected to meet nearly half of the country’s daily electricity needs by year-end.

The release points out that the feasibility of acquiring a geothermal drill rig for shared use among OECS Member States could significantly boost renewable energy development and directly address one of the main barriers to geothermal project advancement.

“Six OECS Member States- Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Montserrat- are endowed with significant geothermal resources due to their volcanic origins. Geothermal energy is seen as the most promising renewable energy option for these islands, offering reliable, 24/7 baseload power and the potential to transform national energy matrices, lower electricity costs, and reduce carbon emissions in line with the Paris climate accord commitments.”

The OECS Commission, as the regional hub for geothermal development, said it is leading efforts to build technical, institutional, and human capacity to accelerate the deployment of geothermal projects through the GEOBUILD Programme, which is financed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the European Union’s Caribbean Investment Facility (EU-CIF), with major support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The current feasibility study will examine the technical, economic, and operational viability of acquiring and managing a drill rig that could be deployed across multiple islands.

The study evaluates the status and needs of geothermal projects across the OECS, explores various ownership and financing models—including public, private, and public-private partnership (PPP) options—and identifies logistical, regulatory, and capacity-building requirements for successful implementation. The OECS Commission states as well that the study also considers alternative approaches such as coordinated joint bidding for drilling services and lessons from other island regions.

It notes that key challenges identified may include the logistical complexities of operating heavy equipment across multiple islands.

“The study should provide evidence-based recommendations to ensure that any solution adopted is cost-effective, sustainable, and tailored to the unique needs of OECS Member States.”

Mobilisation and demobilisation of rigs from outside the region are among the most expensive components of geothermal drilling in small island states, and the Commission says that by owning or sharing a rig, OECS Member States may be able to spread these costs across multiple projects, making drilling more affordable and improving the economic feasibility of geothermal energy, which is otherwise capital-intensive.

Dominica’s exploration and production drilling has led to the construction of a 10-megawatt plant at Laudat in the lush Roseau Valley which is scheduled to be operating by January, 2026.

For the people of the OECS, successful geothermal development promises: More stable electricity prices. Reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels. Greater energy security and resilience. New opportunities for green jobs and technical skills development , and the potential for energy exports and regional economic growth.