Antigua and Barbuda has asked the European Union to support renewable energy development in the Caribbean as part of correspondence seeking more time to phase out citizenship by investment programmes, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Saturday.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne said the government was awaiting a response from European authorities on assistance to help the region manage the economic consequences of ending the programmes.
“We have written to the European Union as well, asking them to help us with our renewable energy within the region,” he said.
“So that was the letter that we sent off in which we asked for additional time to phase out those CIPs.”
Browne disclosed the request while responding to a question about progress on a geothermal energy initiative involving Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis.
He said preparations were advancing, with a committee involving private entities from the United Kingdom and Australia and discussions with a Green Climate Fund official.
Browne also referred to World Bank support and potential financing commitments, but stressed that the project had not reached implementation.
“We’re still gathering all the technical expertise and the funding,” he said.
The EU request places renewable energy development among the areas in which the government is seeking assistance as it negotiates the future of its Citizenship by Investment Programme.
The European Commission has requested that Antigua and Barbuda phase out the programme by June 1, 2028. The government has sought a longer transition and assistance to address the resulting economic impact.
Browne said he hoped European authorities would offer a package recognizing the consequences for Eastern Caribbean countries that operate the programmes.
“I don’t want to pre-empt them, but we hope that they will come up with something recognizing the impact of phasing out the programmes,” he said.
He did not specify the amount requested for renewable energy, identify an agreed EU funding mechanism or announce a European commitment.
On the geothermal initiative, Browne said potential funding commitments could help attract further financing. However, he cautioned that not all the required funding had been secured.
“It’s a work in progress, and we’re meeting, we’re making progress, but we’re not at the stage of implementation yet,” he said.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda seeks EU renewable energy support alongside CIP phaseout talks.