St. Kitts-Nevis Receives Five Bids as Geothermal Project Moves Forward

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts and Nevis government says it has received five bids from internationally recognized firms for the production drilling phase for the twin island Federation’s geothermal power project.

The peak on the island of Nevis is testament to the island’s volcanic origins and immense geothermal potentialPrime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew in a nationwide radio and television broadcast, said that there had been an official opening of the bids and that a total of five bids from internationally recognized firms were received for the initiative on Nevis, a cornerstone of the Federation’s Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA).

He said this marks a significant step towards energy sovereignty, resilience, and a cleaner future for an Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member state and that drilling to produce geothermal energy to drive an electric turbine at Hamilton Estate is expected to begin in early 2026 following the awarding of the contract to the successful bidder.

“I am also thrilled to report that the partnership between the Federal Government and the Nevis Island Administration to finally bring our geothermal energy potential to life is bearing fruit.

“With deep earth thermal reservoirs already identified, the international bidding process for drilling of production wells progressed such that bids were opened a few days ago and five internationally recognized firms have submitted proposals.”

Prime Minister Drew said that with US$37 million already secured through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB),  the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Saudi Fund for Development, “we expect drilling to commence in early 2026”.

He said that a 30-megawatt geothermal plant, once operational, is expected to provide baseload renewable energy for both Nevis and St. Kitts, delivering cleaner, more affordable electricity and advancing the Federation’s goal of true energy independence.

“Once operational, this geothermal plant could provide baseload renewable energy for Nevis and St. Kitts. It means cleaner energy, cheaper electricity, and true energy sovereignty for future generations”.

In a statement, the St. Lucia-based OECS Commission said commended the Federation for its leadership and vision, noting that the geothermal project is a flagship for the OECS GEOBUILD Programme, which aims to unlock geothermal potential across five participating member States, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and foster sustainable economic growth.

“St. Kitts and Nevis will become the third OECS member state and the second in CARICOM (Caribbean Community) to develop a geothermal power plant, following Dominica’s planned inauguration of a 10-megawatt plant in the Roseau Valley at Christmas 2025,”  the Commission said, adding that the French island of Guadeloupe has been producing about five per  cent of its electricity from geothermal sources since 1986.

The twin island Federation recently participated in an international forum as part of the Global Sustainable Island Summit (GSIS 2025), featuring technical discussions from renewable energy experts and a site visit of the Hamilton geothermal field,  which is the base for the St. Kitts and Nevis Island Climate Enhancement Project (SKNICE).

“SKNICE is part of the federal Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA). SISA is built on seven foundational pillars, each relying on the other: energy transition, water security, food security, sustainable industries, sustainable settlements, circular economy, and health and social protection.

“Each pillar supports a critical area of life in the Federation, which together represent the infrastructure of a “future-ready nation”, said Dr. Drew.