The Government of Grenada is making significant strides in its transition to sustainable energy with the advancement of its flagship Geothermalย Energy Development Project, which has now entered the critical exploration drilling phase. Theย long-term objective is to generate up to 15 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable baseload powerโ delivering reliable electricity to the national grid while reducing dependence on imported fossilย fuels.
Building on comprehensive surface-based geoscientific investigations conducted in 2015, the nextย major milestone will take place in 2026 with the drilling of two exploratory wells: one at Plaisance,ย St. John, and another at Tricolar, St. Patrick. These exploratory activities are essential to confirmย the commercial viability of the geothermal resource. While surface studies provide initial insights,ย only drilling can determine key subsurface characteristicsโsuch as temperature, pressure, andย fluid flowโrequired to support a utility-scale geothermal power plant.
If the findings confirm a viable geothermal resource, the most promising site will be selected forย further development. This will include:
- Engaging a qualified geothermal developer.
- Drilling production and reinjection wells.
- Designing and constructing the steam field and geothermal power plant.ย โข Developing the transmission infrastructure necessary to integrate this renewable energy into theย national grid.
The potential national benefits of a 15 MW geothermal plant are transformative. If operationalย today, it would:
- Supply up to 44% of Grenadaโs current electricity needsโeffectively powering all households.ย โข Offset over 5.5 million gallons of diesel imports annually.
- Avoid more than 25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over a 25-year period.ย โข Stabilise and potentially reduce electricity prices while enhancing national energy security.
The project is currently supported by a coalition of international partners through grant financingย and technical assistance. These include:
- The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
- The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
- The Government of New Zealand, providing engineering support via the Aotearoa New Zealandย Caribbean Facility for Renewable Energy (FRENZ).
Community engagement, environmental stewardship, and transparency remain at the heart of theย projectโs implementation. As Grenada continues to chart a low-carbon, climate-resilientย development path, the geothermal project stands as a cornerstone of national efforts to achieveย long-term energy independence and sustainability.
