Roadmap being developed by GTI with support from the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda and Euroclima programme
St. Kitts and Nevis lays groundwork for transition to 100% renewable energy
June 3, 2026
Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities et al, Hon. Konris Maynard (3rd left) is joined by (l -r) representatives from NEVLEC, SKELEC, the European Union Delegation to Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and the Greening The Islands Foundation at the Opening of the 100% Renewable Energy Transition Roadmap kickoff meeting in Basseterre, St. Kitts on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has launched a major initiative to achieve 100% renewable electricity generation, marking another important step in the Federation’s transition to a sustainable and low-carbon energy future.
Supported by the European Union through the Euroclima Caribbean programme and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Greening The Islands (GTI) Foundation, the Federation will develop a roadmap for identifying the policies, investments and technologies needed to transform its energy sector.
The roadmap, which is being undertaken under the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, will guide efforts to increase the use of renewable energy sources, strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and support the country's target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 61 per cent by 2030. The roadmap development process is expected to take approximately 18 months and will involve consultations with public and private sector stakeholders, technical assessments and investment planning.
The initiative was officially launched during a two-day workshop held on 3 - 4 June at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. The workshop marks the formal kick-off of the global 100% RES Islands Initiative in St. Kitts and Nevis, setting the Initiative's methodology in motion. Government officials, energy experts and international partners came together to assess the current state of the energy sector, identify opportunities and challenges, and agree on the next steps needed to achieve the country's renewable energy ambitions.
Hon. Konris G. Maynard, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Domestic Transport, Information, Communication and Technology and Posts, highlighted several energy-related projects at various stages of development. These included the Electric Vehicle Transition Policy and Action Plan, the Solar Integration for Sustainable Energy Program, geothermal development in Nevis, a 50 MW solar PV plant coupled with 30 MWh of battery storage, providing cruise ships with shore power, Advanced Metering Infrastructure, and microgrids and solar PV systems on government buildings. He emphasized, “Every single one of these projects highlights the immediate need for the study we are launching today. We need this roadmap to harmonize these initiatives, and to guarantee that our infrastructure can handle this green revolution.”
Ms. Karima Degia, Cluster Manager for Nature, Climate and Energy at UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, recognized the vision of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, noting that the energy transition needs strong partnerships and sustained cooperation across government, utilities, private sector, and development partners. She said, “The commitment to achieving a fully renewable energy future is both ambitious and forward-looking and UNDP is here to support translating this ambition into action. We connect national priorities with international best practices, while ensuring that solutions remain grounded in the realities and needs of Small Island Developing States, for whom this transition is essential for energy security, economic resilience, and climate action.”
Mr. Luca Trinchieri, Team Leader, Green Deal, EU Delegation to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, said: “Through Euroclima and the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, the European Union is proud to support Saint Kitts and Nevis as it advances towards a cleaner, more resilient and sustainable energy system that will benefit future generations. St. Kitts and Nevis has set an ambitious vision for its energy future, and this initiative is an important step towards making that vision a reality. A clear and credible roadmap will help identify the investments, policies and technologies needed to expand renewable energy, strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
“The European Union is committed to working with governments across the Caribbean on shared priorities such as clean energy, climate resilience and sustainable growth, and we are pleased to support this important initiative through the Global Gateway Investment Agenda. The transition to renewable energy is not only a climate imperative; it is also an economic and development opportunity. By reducing dependence on imported fuels and harnessing its abundant renewable resources, St. Kitts and Nevis can build a more secure, competitive and sustainable future.”
Mr. Gianni Chianetta, Founder & Chair, Greening The Islands Foundation, said, “St. Kitts and Nevis has set out to become a renewable energy leader, not only in the Caribbean but globally, and the political will to get there is already strong. Our role is to help turn that will into reality. Through the methodology of the 100% RES Islands Initiative, we will bring together all the key island stakeholders along with regional partners such as CCREEE and CARILEC, build on the studies and experience already in place, and close the gaps that remain. Standardising the output of this work is what allows us to accelerate finance and deployment. We are grateful to Euroclima and UNDP for their support in making this possible.”
As the implementing agency for the Euroclima programme in the Caribbean, UNDP partners with the European Union and national governments to accelerate climate action, strengthen resilience and support the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. By combining global partnerships with local action, Euroclima Caribbean is not only supporting climate resilience but also driving sustainable growth and energy independence for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org/barbados or follow at @UNDPBarbadosEC.
About Euroclima
Euroclima is a European Union programme that strengthens EU-LAC cooperation to drive a green and just transition in Latin America and the Caribbean. As part of the Global Gateway strategy, the programme works with 33 partner countries and regional organisations to create enabling conditions for sustainable investments, facilitate access to climate finance, and promote knowledge exchange in priority sectors such as energy transition, bioeconomy, sustainable mobility, and water management. It is co-financed by the European Union, the German federal government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Spanish Cooperation, and implemented in the spirit of Team Europe, through the synergistic work of eight agencies: the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the French Development Agency Group (AFD/Expertise France), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Spanish Cooperation Foundation specialized in the improvement of public systems (FIAP), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
About Greening the Islands Foundation
Greening the Islands (GTI) Foundation supports the sustainability and self-sufficiency of islands worldwide, promoting innovative solutions across energy, water, mobility, waste and the environment. Through its 100% RES Islands Initiative, which Saint Kitts and Nevis joined in November 2025, GTI works with island communities to co-design integrated roadmaps for full renewable energy and build pipelines of bankable projects, demonstrating that the transition to 100% renewables is both technically and economically feasible. Learn more at greeningtheislands.org.