Government of Nevis Moves Forward with Geothermal Power Plant Project

The Honourable Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Minister of Energy, has announced that the government is moving forward with the geothermal power plant project, despite past challenges.

Update on the Project’s Progress

“I’m happy to report that despite many setbacks, the project is now progressing well. The tender for drilling contractors has been sent out, and a number of inter-regional and international contractors have been shortlisted to bid for the project. The return of the bid documents is projected for February 2025,” Premier Brantley stated.

Reflections on Earlier Stages of the Project

Reflecting on earlier stages of the project, Premier Brantley explained that this is the second round of bidding, following a first round which resulted in the receipt of three bids, none of which met the government’s requirements.

At the completion of that unsuccessful exercise, there was a consultation with top firms in the industry, he said, following which there was a revision of the bidding document to address issues raised during that consultation.

Next Steps

“The next steps will include site visits by prospective bidders, scheduling pre-bid meetings with shortlisted firms in January to address any further queries or concerns, return of bid documents in February 2025, evaluation of those bids, and approval of a selected firm, immediately followed by the execution of the contract with the successful bidders, and finally, the long-awaited commencement of the drilling process,”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the government of Nevis is committed to moving forward with the geothermal power plant project, despite past challenges. With a revised bidding process in place, the project is expected to be completed in the near future.

FAQs

What is the current status of the geothermal power plant project? The project is currently in the bidding process, with a target completion date of early 2025.
What is the timeline for the project’s development? The project’s development will depend on the number and quality of bids received, with site visits, pre-bid meetings, and the evaluation of bids expected to take place between January and February 2025.
What is the expected outcome of the bidding process? The successful bidder will be selected and a contract will be executed, followed by the commencement of the drilling process.
What is the expected financing for the project? The government has secured financing from the Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Green Climate Fund for the construction of the power plant and overall grid upgrades.
What is the potential impact of this project on Nevis and the wider Federation? The project has the potential to be transformative for Nevis and the wider Federation, providing a new source of renewable energy and reducing the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.