In a landmark step toward cross-border renewable energy collaboration in the Caribbean, a delegation from St. Martin led by Territorial Council President Louis Mussington visited the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis on August 30, 2026 to examine Nevis’ fast-advancing geothermal energy development initiative. The visiting group was formally welcomed by Nevis Premier and Energy Minister Mark Brantley, who was joined by Nevis Minister of Works Spencer Brand for the day of site visits and bilateral discussions.
The delegation’s itinerary centered on a guided tour of the Hamilton Geothermal Site, the primary hub of Nevis’ effort to unlock its massive underground geothermal reserves. Brantley walked the group through the project’s development journey to date, sharing details on completed exploration work and upcoming milestones for the initiative. He explained that initial exploration drilling has already confirmed that Nevis hosts one of the world’s most promising geothermal resources, ranked the seventh most viable globally. The island’s natural advantages—consistent high underground heat, easily accessible project sites, and completed geological mapping of all potential resource areas—position the project for efficient, steady development. Brantley noted that development will launch first at the N1 site, with other mapped areas reserved for future expansion as demand grows.
Key progress is already accelerating on the ground: Brantley confirmed that a specialized drilling contractor has been secured, and the main drill rig has completed mandatory inspection in Iceland, with logistics already underway to transport the equipment to Nevis. According to the current project timeline, on-site construction activity is expected to commence within the next 60 to 90 days, a milestone that will mark the transition from pre-development planning to full production drilling. Brantley emphasized that this start of active drilling will be a major turning point for the years-long effort to bring geothermal energy online for the island.
Following the site tour, the delegation reviewed a detailed informational exhibit about the project, where Mussington asked targeted questions about regulatory frameworks, production projections, and infrastructure plans. The St. Martin leader praised the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) for the steady, tangible progress it has made in advancing the clean energy project, and formally stated St. Martin’s interest in importing carbon-free geothermal energy from Nevis to meet its own clean energy targets.
Beyond the core geothermal site visit, the delegation also toured the Nevis Electricity Company Ltd. (NEVLEC) Power Plant in Prospect, where Acting General Manager Hazel Chiverton and Generation Manager Jevon Eaton led a walkthrough of the facility, explaining the island’s current electricity generation operations and how geothermal energy will integrate into the existing grid. After the official business visits, the delegation was hosted for lunch at Drift Restaurant and enjoyed a tour of Nevis’ historic Bath Springs before traveling onward to St. Kitts.
In a post-visit reflection, Brantley highlighted that the high-level visit from St. Martin reflects a growing wave of regional interest in Nevis’ untapped geothermal potential, opening new doors for integrated Caribbean energy cooperation. “It is heartening to see that our neighbouring islands are looking to us ultimately to provide them with clean power, and we are resolute in our commitment to harnessing this geothermal energy for the benefit of the people of Nevis, the people of St. Kitts, and the wider region,” Brantley said. The visit lays the groundwork for future collaborative agreements that could see Nevis become a regional clean energy hub, supporting surrounding islands in their transitions away from fossil fuels.