2026 to Be a Year of Action and Results
BASSETERRE — Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew presented an ambitious roadmap that sets out what citizens can expect in 2026, a strategic year focused on delivery of national promises, accelerated economic diversification, forward-looking infrastructure development, and strengthening resilience across the Federation.
Addressing the media during his first Round Table of the year, the Prime Minister reiterated that this SKNLP-led Government has moved beyond planning into a sustained phase of implementation and tangible results.
Central to the Government’s agenda, this year will be continued progress on water security, an essential foundation for development and quality of life. In the past 18 months, the Government recommenced critical infrastructure works that include commissioning new wells, expanding storage capacity, and laying thousands of feet of new distribution lines to reach underserved communities. Current investments have already moved more households toward 24-hour service, and the near-completion of the new desalination facility at the Canada Industrial Site is expected to dramatically improve pressures on the national system.
“We can expect that water will be more readily available,” Dr. Drew said, pointing to the near-completion of the desalination plant, which is expected to produce up to two million gallons of potable water per day. By year’s end, the Government anticipates reliable daily service for nearly all households, a milestone that would mark a historic turnaround from decades of intermittent supply.
To reduce dependency on imported fuel and bolster energy resilience, the Prime Minister confirmed that preparatory work for a major 50-megawatt solar energy facility has been finalised. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for this large-scale clean energy project will be issued shortly, with construction expected to begin in 2026. This aligns with national plans to expand renewable energy and strengthen climate adaptation under the Sustainable Island State Agenda.
Dr. Drew also noted that geothermal development in Nevis, the most advanced to date in the nation’s history, is poised for formal sign-off, bringing the Federation closer to unlocking clean baseload power from below the earth’s surface.
2026 will also see significant expansion in agriculture, particularly with the deployment of a large greenhouse cluster and the development of a 110-acre farm in Cayon. The Government’s objective is to convert previously underutilised land into high-productivity agricultural zones that enhance food security and increase value-added production. “Land that was growing guinea grass will now grow food,” the Prime Minister stated.
The Government will continue delivering affordable housing across the Federation. More than 800 homes have already been completed, and current projects are set to carry the total well past 1,000 units this year. Parallel initiatives include the launch of a national electronic identification system aimed at modernising public services and strengthening digital governance.
Healthcare remains a central priority, with continued construction of the new Joseph N. France (JNF) Hospital, a facility that will expand emergency, diagnostic, and specialist care capacity. Education infrastructure also advances with ongoing work at Basseterre High School.
In closing, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Federation is entering a year defined by execution and progress. “We are pushing forward to build a resilient Saint Kitts and Nevis that serves our people and serves them well,” Dr. Drew stated.
This expanded plan touches every sector of national life, from basic services and economic diversification to health, education, technology, and sustainability, underlining the Government’s people-centred approach and its commitment to turning policy into measurable impact.