CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – May 1, 2026 – The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) has crossed a major milestone in its years-long pursuit of energy self-sufficiency and renewable energy transition, with a finalized contract for geothermal production well drilling now in place, Premier Mark Brantley has announced.
Brantly, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Energy, told reporters at his April 28 monthly press briefing that Iceland Drilling has been selected as the project contractor, with the formal contract signed between the firm and Nevis Electricity Company Limited (Nevlec), the island’s public utility provider. While the government plans to host a public ceremonial signing event to mark the occasion, Brantley confirmed all binding contractual terms have been finalized, and preparatory work is already underway ahead of drilling at the project’s Hamilton site.
Several pre-drilling milestones remain to be completed before operations can kick off, including the acquisition of surrounding land parcels and logistics coordination. To streamline project delivery, the NIA is also establishing a dedicated full-time geothermal project unit – a shift from the current structure where Nevlec staff have split their time between regular utility duties and geothermal development, Brantley explained.
In a move to retain critical institutional expertise, the administration has tapped former Nevlec General Manager Albert Gordon to serve exclusively on the geothermal initiative. Brantley praised Gordon’s foundational work in advancing the project to its current phase, noting his deep technical knowledge and consistent dedication have been invaluable to overcoming early barriers. Gordon’s continued involvement will be key to navigating the next stages of development, the premier added.
Parallel to drilling operations, the NIA plans to launch a request for proposals for the subsequent phase of the project: construction of the geothermal power plant. Brantley noted that drilling represents the highest-risk segment of the initiative, a stage that previously presented major hurdles to securing funding. Once drilling is completed and the geothermal resource is confirmed, he explained, attracting private sector investment for plant construction will become far simpler.
Under current project plans, the team will drill up to two production wells and one injection well to support a 30-megawatt geothermal power plant. Once operational, the facility will generate more than enough clean electricity to meet all of Nevis’ domestic energy demand, eliminating reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation.
The nearly $71.6 million project is supported by a mixed financing package of international development funding. Iceland Drilling has independently confirmed it has signed the final turnkey contract for drilling services, with work on site scheduled to commence by September 2026 and conclude in the second half of 2027.
Brantly emphasized that the geothermal project carries transformative potential not only for Nevis but for the entire Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. He framed the initiative as a core demonstration of the NIA’s unwavering commitment to building a sustainable energy future and long-term energy independence, describing it as more than an infrastructure project – it is a lasting legacy for future generations of Nevisians.