The long-awaited dredging barge tasked with supporting major coastal preparations for the Crabbs Peninsula energy project has arrived at Antigua’s St. John’s Harbor, marking a key milestone in the country’s ambitious plan to expand its renewable energy capacity and upgrade national energy infrastructure.
Project officials confirmed that the 120-meter coastal dredging vessel reached its destination early Wednesday morning, after a two-week voyage from its previous deployment in Trinidad and Tobago. Over the next 12 weeks, the barge and its on-site crew will carry out extensive seabed dredging work along the 2.5-kilometer coastline adjacent to the project site. The work is designed to deepen coastal channels, clear sediment buildup, and prepare the seabed for the installation of undersea cables and onshore construction access routes that will support a new 70-megawatt solar-wind hybrid energy facility.
The Crabbs Peninsula energy project, a joint initiative between the Antiguan government and a regional renewable energy developer, is projected to meet nearly 40 percent of Antigua and Barbuda’s total domestic electricity demand once completed. It is also expected to create over 200 local construction jobs and reduce the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, which currently account for more than 90 percent of its energy generation.
Project manager Carlos Mendez told reporters on Thursday that the timely arrival of the dredging barge keeps the entire project on track for its scheduled completion in late 2025. “This is more than just an energy project; it’s a foundational step for Antigua and Barbuda’s transition to cleaner, more affordable energy independence,” Mendez said. “The dredging work we’re about to undertake eliminates a major bottleneck for the rest of construction, so we’re pleased to be moving forward as planned.”
Local business leaders have welcomed the development, noting that the project’s infrastructure upgrades will also open new opportunities for coastal tourism development along the Crabbs Peninsula. Environmental monitoring teams have already been deployed to the area to ensure dredging activities comply with regional marine protection standards, with measures in place to minimize disruption to local coral reef systems and fish populations.