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NIA CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS (May 01, 2026)
– A major step has been taken in Nevis’ renewable energy agenda following confirmation that the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) has signed a contract to begin drilling geothermal production wells.
Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Mark Brantley, made the announcement during his monthly press conference on April 28, identifying Iceland Drilling as the company selected for the project.
“Iceland Drilling is the company that has been selected and I think that [contract] has been signed between Iceland Drilling and Nevlec [Nevis Electricity Co. Ltd.] to proceed with the project, so we anticipate that that will proceed apace,” he said.
Serving also as Minister of Energy, Premier Brantley said that although a formal ceremonial event is still expected, all critical contractual arrangements have already been completed.
Several preparatory matters must still be addressed before drilling can begin at the Hamilton site, including land acquisition and other logistical requirements.
“There’s some surrounding work to be done, some lands to be purchased in the area and we are working on all that. We’re in the process of setting up a geothermal unit so that we will have a team that is dedicated now 100 percent to that, because currently what has been happening is that the people at Nevlec who have their Nevlec work to do have also been involved with geothermal.”
He also disclosed that former Nevlec General Manager Albert Gordon has been retained exclusively to support the geothermal initiative.
According to the Premier, Gordon has played a vital role in moving the project to its present stage, contributing valuable expertise and commitment. His continued involvement is expected to assist in guiding the next phase of development.
Attention is also being placed on plant construction, with a request for proposals expected while drilling activities proceed simultaneously.
“The sense was that that process should be the easier part of the process because the riskier part is the drilling. So that’s where we were having so much difficulty getting funding for the drilling, but once the drilling is done and the resource is there, then the rest becomes far easier and that’s where we anticipate that the private sector will come on board,” he said.
Current plans call for the drilling of up to two geothermal production wells and one injection well.
Once completed, the project is expected to establish a 30-megawatt geothermal power plant, generating more than enough electricity to meet Nevis’ domestic demand.
Financial support for the initiative is being provided through a package of international funding totaling approximately US$71.6 million.
Iceland Drilling has separately confirmed that the final agreement for turnkey geothermal drilling services has been signed. The company said work is scheduled to begin by September 2026, with completion projected for the second half of 2027.
Premier Brantley has repeatedly underscored the transformative value of the project for both Nevis and the wider Federation, describing it as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to renewable energy and long-term energy independence, while creating a lasting legacy for future generations.
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