Commissioner Zagers and Johnson recently travelled to Nevis to holds talks about the geothermal possibilities on Saba. The trip proved positive from building positive informative relationship with the Nevis Island administration to seeing a live geothermal well with West Indies Power.
Friday the commissioners were able to speak directly with the drillers who would be coming to Saba. The drillers were made aware of the environment of Saba and what can be expected there. On Saturday, open talks with West Indies Power continued and concluded with a tour of Nevis 3 – a live geothermal well site. Upon seeing a live well Commissioner of Energy, Bruce Zagers, was very optimistic that alternative energy is within reach for the island and people of Saba.
Sunday morning they were able to visit another location to see the equipment that will be shipped to Saba – some of which included, drilling rigs, lengths of drill bits, and 20 containers of equipment. The talks concluded with in discussing the entry of workers onto Saba.
The assistance from Minister of Energy, Carlisle Powell, and his Permanent Secretary Ernie Stapleton, was extremely forthcoming when discussing with the Commissioners their experience with geothermal power and legislation. Furthermore, the Nevis Administration also offered significant assistance with Saba’s contract negotiations with West Indies Power, power purchasing agreements, and also shared extensive legal documentation pertaining to the legislation of a geothermal project.