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BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 10^th, 2016 (PRESS SEC) –Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris and Minister of Energy et al., Honourable Ian Liburd, attended the U.S.-Caribbean-Central American Energy Summit in Washington, D.C. last week and discussed the country’s geothermal progress with key stakeholders.

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden Jr. chaired last week’s Energy Summit at the U.S. Department of State that convened key stakeholders to discuss, inter alia, the recommendations of the U.S.-Caribbean-Central American Energy Security Task Force, which President Barack Obama launched with regional leaders on April 9^th, 2015.

The Summit attendees comprised Caribbean and Central American Heads of Government, including the Prime Ministers of Aruba (the Hon. Mike Eman), the Bahamas (the Hon. Perry Christie), Jamaica (the Hon. Andrew Holness), St. Kitts and Nevis (Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris), St. Maarten (the Hon. William Marlin) and Trinidad and Tobago (Dr. the Hon. Keith Rowley), the President of Guyana (H.E. David Granger), Energy Ministers, U.S. Government officials, multilateral development banks, private sector representatives and other partners.

“During the day-long meeting on May 4^th, Prime Minister Harris highlighted the Federation’s significant progress in developing its geothermal resources and further emphasized Nevis’ laudable advancement towards achieving a green economy rooted in renewable energy,” Mr. Justin Hawley, Counselor at the St. Kitts and Nevis Embassy to the United States of America, said.

Mr. Hawley added that, “Before a packed room that comprised Summit delegates, U.S. Government officials, international partners and CEOs of influential private sector companies, such as New Fortress Energy, Tesla and SolarCity, the Honourable Prime Minister outlined the importance of forging partnerships for investment in renewable energy to decrease the Federation’s dependence on fossil fuels.  Then on the margins of the Summit, the Prime Minister and Minister Liburd met with Mr. Daniel Pfeffer, President of Thermal Energy Partners, to discuss that company’s ongoing involvement in Nevis’ nascent geothermal project.”

On November 20^th, Texas-based Thermal Energy Partners, LLC, acting through its subsidiary Nevis Renewable Energy (NRE) International, entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with Nevis Electricity Company Limited (NEVLEC).  The PPA worth approximately US$800 million is in connection with a 9MW geothermal project on Nevis that is capable of exporting 40-50 MW of additional power to St. Kitts and other neighbouring islands.  NRE International, the developer, has chosen Turboden, a group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., to be the turbine supplier and the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project.  The geothermal project is on target to begin operation at the end of 2017.

Back at home, Prime Minister Harris delivered the Keynote Address during the Opening Session of the Regional Geothermal Forum at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort today, Tuesday, May 10^th.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Joseph Cox, CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General for Trade and Economic Integration, wrote on April 22^nd, 2016: “The choice of St. Kitts and Nevis as the venue for the Forum was influenced by the view that the Forum should be staged in a CARICOM Member State, which, on the basis of resource potential, has a realistic opportunity for integrating geothermal power into its energy mix.  In particular, the commitment of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to geothermal development is exemplary and continues to be manifested through an active programme on both islands.”

Main points coming out of discussions at the Forum in St. Kitts will help formulate the framework for the Regional Geothermal Strategy.