In a key milestone for the Caribbean nation’s transition to renewable energy, a technical delegation from Nevis has completed a final technical inspection of the Tyr drilling rig, operated by Iceland Drilling, ahead of the equipment’s shipment to Nevis for a major geothermal energy development project. Dated 31 August 2026, the inspection mission marks a critical step forward for the 30-megawatt geothermal initiative that aims to transform the energy landscape of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Led by the Nevis Island Administration and executed by Nevis Electricity Company Limited (NEVLEC), the project secured international backing months ago when Iceland Drilling was awarded the turnkey contract for geothermal drilling services at the Hamilton site on Nevis. The contract covers the development of six geothermal wells, which will be drilled using the 272-tonne Drillmec HH-300 Tyr rig, the same unit inspected by the Nevis delegation in Iceland. Preparation for the drilling operation is already underway: Icelandic engineering firm COWI will lead civil works to ready the drilling pad, with on-site oversite provided by Iceland Drilling. Drilling operations are on schedule to launch in the second half of 2026.
The inspection delegation was headed by newly appointed NEVLEC General Manager Nelson Stapleton, and included Project Coordinator Naftalie Erra plus a team of technical specialists from Scotia Drilling Consultants, a UK-based industry leader. During the visit, the NEVLEC team held in-depth working sessions with Icelandic drilling, engineering, and geothermal experts to familiarize themselves with the rig’s specifications, operational requirements, and logistics needs for deployment on the island.
In comments following the inspection, Stapleton emphasized the dual goals of the pre-mobilization mission. “As we move closer to drilling, it is important that NEVLEC has direct oversight of the rig’s readiness and a clear understanding of what will be required once the equipment is mobilized to Nevis,” he said. He added that capacity building was a core priority: “Equally important is building the capacity of our team so that the knowledge and experience gained during this stage remains within NEVLEC and can support the project throughout drilling and the subsequent development of the geothermal resource.”
Backed by the Federal Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and key financial partners including the Caribbean Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and Green Climate Fund, the 30-MW project is designed to deliver clean baseload power to both St. Kitts and Nevis. The initiative follows the successful recent launch of commercial operations at a 10-MW geothermal plant in neighboring Dominica, a model that St. Kitts and Nevis aims to replicate to reduce its reliance on expensive, polluting imported fossil fuels. Beyond meeting domestic energy needs, government officials have confirmed that ongoing discussions are underway with neighboring Antigua and Barbuda to explore a potential cross-border power supply agreement that would extend the benefits of Nevis’ geothermal resource across the Eastern Caribbean.