- Approval of the legal status of the Caribbean Centre of Excellence on Geothermal Energy (CECG)
On 8 July 2022, the members of the steering committee approved the legal status of the Caribbean Centre of Excellence on Geothermal Energy. This legal form considers different orientations and issues for establishing the Centre:
- Firstly, the need to take into account the international opening of the structure,
- secondly, the significant public dimension with an opening onto the economic market,
- thirdly plies in the coexistence between the pursuit of general interests and commercial goals,
- fourthly, is the desire to have a flexible but efficient flexible but efficient governance mais efficiente.
With the structure now approved, draft statutes will be presented in Septembre 2022.
- Positioning and service offer envisaged for the CECG
The steering committee members also confirmed the Centre’s ambition to develop geothermal projects in the Caribbean and to promote of the sector’s know-how and skills. The committee also discussed the workshops organized by ADEME in May 2022 about the CECG. Five activities were highlighted during these workshops :
- International exchanges,
- Research and Development,
- Information and Communication,
- Training,
- Services.
The range of services offered will expand over time as the CECG develops. The main objective of the CECG is to serve the interests and needs of the Caribbean States, but it is envisaged to be open to the world.
Special attention was paid to the establishment of training courses, especially for decision-makers and the population. The Caribbean Centre should be able to leverage and enhance existing teaching skills. The partnership approach with other universities and international geothermal authorities will be favoured, as well as with other centres of excellence and associations and companies.
- Economic benefits
The business model of the Caribbean Centre is based on a diversification of financing (public, private and European funds). The Caribbean Centre of Excellence on Geothermal Energy will also allow multiple economic benefits in the Caribbean :
- Development of renewables energy,
- Reduction of electricity production costs,
- Development of industrial / geothermal tourism,
- Job creation, ect.