The OECS and IRENA have entered right into a partnership for stakeholder engagement and group involvement for geothermal in Japanese Caribbean states.
The Group of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS) has introduced a partnership with the Worldwide Renewable Power Company (IRENA) via the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative (LHI) and the World Geothermal Alliance (GGA) to create a complete roadmap for significant engagement and participation amongst all stakeholders in geothermal vitality growth throughout Member States.
The initiative will notably give attention to Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The challenge will likely be executed as a part of the OECS Fee’s Geothermal Power: Capability Constructing for Utilisation, Funding and Native Growth (GEOBUILD) Programme. The GEOBUILD programme is funded by the Caribbean Growth Financial institution (CDB) with finance from the Inter-American Growth Financial institution (IDB) and the European Union Caribbean Funding Facility (EU-CIF) via CDB’s GeoSmart Initiative. The programme seeks to harness the area’s geothermal potential to supply sustainable vitality options, scale back dependence on fossil fuels, and promote financial resilience.
“The partnership with IRENA represents a pivotal step ahead in our efforts to develop geothermal vitality within the OECS. By fostering a strong stakeholder engagement, we will be certain that the voices of our communities are heard and that their wants are built-in into our vitality methods,” mentioned Dr Ernie Stapleton, Venture Supervisor on the OECS Fee.
Bettering geothermal stakeholder engagement
By working carefully with IRENA, the OECS Fee goals to interact native communities, authorities officers, and personal stakeholders about the advantages and alternatives related to geothermal vitality growth which might rework economies and heighten vitality independence and safety within the OECS.
In late 2023, the GEOBUILD programme held a workshop in Grenada to supply coaching in speaking about geothermal vitality, with emphasis on how geothermal can be utilized for direct functions that may create financial and social alternatives for member states.
The programme additionally held a research tour for representatives from Japanese Caribbean international locations to the continuing geothermal challenge in Dominica. Constructing on the success of Guadeloupe, which has been producing geothermal energy since 1986 and is increasing its capability, Dominica is about to make historical past as the primary geothermal energy station within the English-speaking OECS and the Caribbean Group (CARICOM) by late 2025.
Selling inclusive group involvement
IRENA’s involvement will present technical experience and greatest practices to help the OECS in fostering efficient stakeholder engagement, making certain numerous views are built-in into decision-making processes. This partnership displays IRENA’s dedication to supporting Small Island Growing States of their transition to renewable vitality sources and facilitating inclusive dialogues that drive sustainable growth.
“By harnessing the facility of collaboration, we goal to make sure native priorities are on the coronary heart of those efforts, constructing capability, strengthening resilience, and delivering sustainable vitality options that safe a extra sustainable and affluent future for OECS Member States,” mentioned Gurbuz Gonul, Director of Nation Engagement and Partnerships, IRENA.
The challenge fosters inclusive group involvement, empowering native villages close to geothermal websites to actively have interaction in decision-making processes and voice their issues. Moreover, it focuses on capability constructing by equipping stakeholders with important information and expertise. This method not solely builds native experience but additionally ensures that communities are ready to guide and maintain their vitality transitions.
Harnessing geothermal assets can present advantages each economically and environmentally. Not solely does it present a clear and renewable vitality supply with vastly lowered greenhouse fuel emissions, nevertheless it supplies jobs and stimulates economics by supplying vitality at decrease prices for shoppers. These advantages place the OECS member states to advance sustainable vitality growth whereas enhancing financial stability and environmental sustainability.
Supply: OECS
