Environment

The artificial reef structures currently being developed for Montserrat are designed to last for generations while helping restore marine ecosystems and attract sea life back to degraded coastal areas. During a recent interview, co-founders of ReefSystems, Max Dijkstra (Dix-tra) and Jesse de Bont, explained that the reef installations are being built to withstand long-term environmental conditions, including the challenging marine and weather conditions within the Caribbean. Mr Dijkstra said the project will also provide valuable insight into how the structures interact with Montserrat’s volcanic seabed and ocean currents over time. He said one of the most encouraging aspects of previous projects has been the speed at which marine life return to newly installed reefs and noted that they are often seen inhabiting the structures almost immediately after installation. Mr de Bont added that ongoing monitoring conducted by researchers and university students found that some artificial reefs were attracting even more fish than nearby natural reefs due to the abundance of hiding spaces created within the structures.

Representatives from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) were present at the launch of the ‘Ex-X’ Research Project in St. Vincent and the Grenadines earlier this month. Between the 3rd and 13th of April 2026, Drs. Adam Stinton, Liz Gaunt and Karen Pascal of the MVO contributed to multiple components of the workshop, including fieldwork on deposits from the 2021 explosive eruptions of La Soufrière, St Vincent. They also participated in a series of presentations covering challenges faced by MVO when managing changes in eruptive behaviour; key eruptive events during Phases 4 and 5 at the Soufrière Hills Volcano; insights gained from the textural and geo-mechanical properties of volcanic rocks; and the use and integration of ground deformation data within new modeling frameworks. The workshop concluded with a hike to the rim of the Summit Crater, where participants were greeted with views of the new crater formed during the 2021 eruptions of La Soufrière, St Vincent. The Ex-X Project aims to improve understanding of dangerous, rapid transitions in volcanic activity by coupling models of magmatic systems, conduit processes, explosive eruptions, and ash plume dynamics. The project is a large, multi-institutional initiative led by the University of Bristol, and involving several UK universities, the UWI Seismic Research Centre, MVO, and the Paris Institute of Earth Physics ( IPGP).

The Government of Montserrat is continuing work under its Green Energy Transition Programme. This initiative is aimed at reducing fossil fuel use and strengthening renewable energy on the island. Minister with responsibility for Energy, Honourable Veronica Dorsette-Hector, said the programme, funded by the government of the United Kingdom with an investment of £5.9 million, has five major components that will be implemented by the Ministry of B.U.I.L.T.E. These include ongoing maintenance and testing of geothermal wells in Cork Hill, as well as finalizing plans for a solar photovoltaic and battery storage system at Shinlands, Brades. The minister also reported upgrades to the island’s transmission and distribution network in Palm Loop and Lookout, along with the refurbishment of the battery storage system at the Lookout solar facility, expected to return to operation soon. Additional elements of the programme include training for energy sector staff and the public, the development of a strategic energy transition plan, and a regulatory framework to guide the electricity sector. According to Honourable Dorsette-Hector, the government is working to establish an independent electricity regulatory model as part of the broader transition to renewable energy. She says the initiative will help improve energy security, strengthen accountability in the sector, and support Montserrat’s goal of building a cleaner and more resilient energy future.

Premier, the Honourable Reuben T Meade says relocating sewage treatments away from residential communities is a key step in protecting public health. Work has begun on a major project to replace the over 20 year old wastewater treatment facility in Look Out to Margarita Bay. The project will see extensive site development works in the area such as land clearing, construction of access roads, storm drainage systems, underground utilities, lift stations, sludge drying beds, and operational buildings. Speaking on the developments, Premier Meade explained that managing human waste safely is an unavoidable necessity for every community.

The Government of Montserrat is making a major move toward energy independence with the launch of the Transmission and Distribution Network Resilience Building Project. The project, forms part of the 5.9 million pound Green Energy Transition Programme funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It is executed by the Department of Energy within the Ministry of Buildings, Utilities, Infrastructure, Labour, Transportation and Ecclesiastical Affairs (BUILT-E) in collaboration with Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL). Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Colin Fergus, told ZJB News that the project will strengthen the resilience of the electricity network. The Transmission and Distribution Network Resilience Building project runs alongside the Water and Waste Water project. This will see more than two kilometres of electrical infrastructure placed underground, and the replacement of aging water pipelines. Manager of the Water Division, Kenaud Ryan, and before him, manager of the Electrical Division, Kendall Lee

The Government of Montserrat is moving forward with the Margarita Bay Wastewater Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at replacing the aging sewage treatment system in Lookout. As part of the project, the new facility will see extensive site development works such as land clearing, construction of access roads, storm drainage systems, underground utilities, lift stations, sludge drying beds, and operational buildings. In an interview with ZJB News, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Building, Utilities, Infrastructure, Labour, transportation & Ecclesiastical Affairs (BUILTE) Colin Fergus says the project is crucial in ensuring sustainable wastewater management for the island while safeguarding environmental health. The Ilse company and Hydrolia Water Solutions, the contracted consultants for the project, will work with the Government of Montserrat and the Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL) to ensure its successful completion. Environmental Engineer at Hydrolia, Liz Arango Miu-noz, in outlining the details of the new system, say the facility will use a multi-stage treatment process, which is designed to improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Civil Engineer with Hydrolia Alonso Salas says the new facility is being designed to handle both current needs and future population growth on Montserrat. Meantime, Managing Director of Montserrat Utilities Limited Julian Daniel reiterated the importance of the project and long term role it will play in supporting the future development of Montserrat. Daniel highlighted the potential reuse of treated by-products.

Construction is underway on new water reservoirs aimed at significantly increasing water storage capacity and supply resilience for the northern parts of the island. As part of the project, new fused glass Water Tanks will be fashioned in Dick Hill, Sweeney’s, Lawyers Mountain and Hope springs. The upgrades are intended to address long-standing capacity challenges that emerged following population shifts to the north of the island after the volcanic eruption. Work at the Dick Hill site has already begun, with land clearing completed and foundation works scheduled to start shortly. Similar works are happening at the Sweeney’s site. In conversation with ZJB News, Managing Director of the Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL) Julian Daniel said a rapid construction method known as a jacking system will be used to assemble the tank walls, allowing the structure to be built efficiently by raising sections into place as construction progresses. ZJB’s team, accompanied Premier, Honourable Reuben T Meade, Deputy Governor Honourable Lyndorna Sweeney and Government Public Relations Officer Jenzil Skerritt to a site visit of the area last Friday. Premier Meade has welcomed the start of the project. He say the improvements will support tourism growth by strengthening essential services which he says are critical to visitor experiences The project is expected to be completed by March 31st. 2026.