CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) – The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Friday signed a partnership agreement with New Zealand to advance geothermal energy and renewable energy development in the sub region.

The signing ceremony took place during the presentation of credentials by New Zealand’s new Ambassador to the OECS, Linda Charlotte Te Puni.

According to a statement, the partnership signals another major step in the development of a clean, abundant, indigenous energy source in the Eastern Caribbean.

It said that the first geothermal power plant in the independent OECS member states is set to be completed in Dominica in 2025 while work continues in other Eastern Caribbean countries to advance their geothermal projects.

With the OECS embarking on its 2025-2035 Decade of Action for Sustainable Energy Development, OECS Director General, Dr Didacus Jules, highlighted the critical role of geothermal energy in the region’s sustainable development.

“We (are) beyond exploration now. Dominica is well advanced in its efforts, and we have relied very heavily on your expertise to assist in that process,” Jules said.

“The commission recognises the broader potential of geothermal energy and is developing a geothermal direct use strategy to 2035. This strategy will focus on key sectors, including agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, and will incorporate feasibility studies, regulatory frameworks and a cross-sector working group.”

“Additionally, the commission will collaborate on a mapping exercise of geothermal resources to further advance these objectives,” he added.

The statement said that the partnership agreement builds on New Zealand’s substantial commitment to geothermal energy development in the Caribbean over the past decade.

“New Zealand is delighted to have such a constructive relationship with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, in particular, as a close technical partner on geothermal energy, through which we have strengthened our engagement with partners in this part of the region,” said Te Puni.

The agreement aims to enhance the OECS’s capacity in geothermal energy production, contributing to the region’s energy security and climate change mitigation efforts.