July 28, 2026 — The long-awaited Nevis Geothermal Project is moving into a critical new phase, with a drilling rig expected to be mobilized in the coming weeks as preparations continue for drilling to begin later this year.
Speaking at his monthly press conference on Tuesday, Premier of Nevis Mark Brantley said earlier delays that temporarily slowed the project have been resolved, allowing work to resume at full pace.
“We have seen significant progress,” Brantley said. “We are hopeful that after some delays occasioned by some internal matters that had to be resolved, we are now full steam ahead.”
According to the premier, the next step is to inspect the drilling rig in Iceland before it is shipped to Nevis. Once the rig arrives on the island, drilling is expected to begin before the end of the year.
Brantley said the original schedule had anticipated mobilization in August, but only minor changes to the timeline are now expected. He added that funding is moving forward and full mobilization is anticipated shortly.
The premier also emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Nevis Island Administration and the Federal Government in advancing the project. He said the geothermal resource belongs to the people of Nevis but noted that the island had long faced difficulties in securing the financing needed to develop it.
Brantley thanked Prime Minister Terrance Drew and the Federal Government for their partnership, saying the collaboration had helped unlock the international funding required to move the project forward.
The Nevis Geothermal Project is one of the Federation’s most ambitious renewable energy initiatives. It is expected to use Nevis’ geothermal resources to generate clean, reliable and affordable electricity for both Nevis and St. Kitts.
Once operational, the project is expected to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthen long-term energy security.
The project is being supported by international financing, including approximately US$51.6 million from the Green Climate Fund through the Caribbean Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, as well as US$20 million from the Saudi Fund for Development.
The initial phase is expected to support the construction of a 30-megawatt geothermal power plant.
Brantley said the start of drilling would mark a major milestone for a project long seen as transformative for the Federation’s energy sector, with the potential to deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits for both Nevis and St. Kitts.
