Teranov receives geothermal licenses for Saba and St. Eustatius

January 31, 2018

Preliminary surface investigations have already begun on Saba and St. Eustatius following the issuing of geothermal exploratory licenses to French developer, Teranov. These permits, exclusive to Teranov, authorize the developer to explore the geothermal resource over three years to qualify the resource for further development. Teranov will also have priority rights to develop the resource. […]

Ormat acquires Guatemala’s El Ceibillo geothermal project

January 29, 2018

U.S. Geothermal will be acquired by Ormat Technologies Inc., with the transaction expected to be finalized in Q2 2018. U.S. Geothermal has operating geothermal plants in the Western United States, and projects in the development phase in the same region, as well as the El Ceibillo project located near Guatemala City, Guatemala. This latest acquisition […]

Costa Rica eliminates taxes for electric vehicles

January 29, 2018

Costa Rica’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2021 is closer with the passage of a new law meant to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles. Last week, the government adopted a new initiative to eliminate sales, customs, and circulation taxes for electric vehicles and a free parking scheme. Under the new law, municipal parking facilities […]

Monserrat to resume geothermal drilling in February

January 24, 2018

After an internal mud collapse stalled drilling of the third geothermal well for several months, Monserrat officials expect drilling to resume within no more than a few weeks. Monserrat plans to use geothermal as a primary baseload resource for the island, with solar PV to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2020. Diesel generators will be […]

Puerto Rico will sell utility PREPA

January 23, 2018

On Monday, Puerto Rico announced that they will sell the badly damaged utility, PREPA in the next 18 months. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello said he’s moving to privatize the insolvent Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the largest U.S. public power utility by customers and revenue. The government will begin the process by passing legislation to establish […]

Haiti seeks qualified microgrid developers

January 22, 2018

Haiti’s government, seeking to grow the successful microgrid model, has issued an official next step for the energy sector. The regulatory authority has launched a pre-qualification notice to invite private developers to express their interest in developing and operating mini and micro-networks based on renewable or hybrid energy. The government is prioritizing energy access, as […]

Four Caribbean Renewable Energy Trends to Watch in 2018

From our Editorial Team

January 19, 2018

2017 saw two cataclysmic hurricanes pile into the Caribbean and, although recovery is well underway, some islands – Puerto Rico and the USVI, for example – are still licking their wounds. Paired with a banner year for renewable energy with record setting PPAs and first technology commissionings for multiple islands, 2017 was a roller coaster […]

Puerto Rico Energy Commission publishes draft regulatory framework for development of microgrids; seek comments

January 19, 2018

The Puerto Rico Energy Commission has published proposed rules for the regulation on microgrid development. The regulations will assist in microgrid development throughout Puerto Rico, following the prolonged and continuing outages from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Commission writes that decentralized and “islanded” systems can strengthen the resiliency of the electric grid, empower customers, and […]

Colombia government approves feasibility of $540m of energy projects

January 17, 2018

Colombia is moving closer to a renewable energy future after positive developments last week from the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The Ministry approved the technical and financial feasibility of 11 energy projects with an investment totaling $540 million. Colombia has potential to develop small hydropower, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and network expansion. The Ministry […]