LoI to Explore Caribbean Waste-to-Energy Research
Powerhouse Energy Group PLC
07 October 2026
7 October 2026
Powerhouse Energy Group plc
("Powerhouse", “PHE”, the “Group” or the "Company")
Letter of Intent to Explore Caribbean Waste-to-Energy Research and the establishment of an Innovation Centre in Antigua and Barbuda
Powerhouse Energy Group plc (AIM: PHE),a company pioneering integrated technology that converts non-recyclable waste into low carbon energy alongside its revenue-generating engineering consultancy division Engsolve, is pleased to announce that the Company has signed a Letter of Intent (“LoI”) with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus (“UWI”) and CSE Partnership (“CSE”) (together the “Parties”).Under the Tripartite LoI the Parties intend to collaborate on the proposed establishment of a Waste-to-Energy Research, Testing and Innovation Centre in Antigua and Barbuda.
The proposed initiative brings together the academic and research capabilities of the UWI, the advanced thermal conversion technology and engineering expertise of Powerhouse and CSE Partnership’s regional relationships, project coordination and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
The objective of the collaboration is to develop a research-led platform capable of investigating some of the most pressing waste, environmental and energy challenges facing Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean, while generating scientific evidence and operational data that could help inform potential future applications across the region and other Small Island Developing States.A particular focus of the proposed Centre would be sargassum seaweed, which has become a significant environmental and economic challenge across the Caribbean.
The longer-term vision is for Antigua and Barbuda to become a regional platform where Caribbean waste streams can be researched, tested and scientifically evaluated using Caribbean academic expertise alongside international technology and engineering capability.
Under the terms of the LoI Powerhouse would support the initiative by providing access to its proprietary Distributed Modular Generation (DMG®) technology, together with its engineering, technical design, feedstock-testing and commissioning expertise.The precise scope of Powerhouse’s participation, technology deployment and any associated technical or commercial arrangements would be developed as the project progresses and would remain subject to appropriate funding and the agreement of definitive arrangements between the relevant parties.
The proposed initiative is intended to be developed with the support of external funding.
The Parties believe that this initiative could become a potential blueprint for Small Island Developing States with and if successful, the research framework and knowledge developed through the proposed Centre could potentially contribute to discussions around sustainable waste management, circular-economy development, energy resilience and climate adaptation in island communities internationally.
The next phase will focus on developing the proposed research framework, identifying priority feedstocks and research objectives, considering the technical requirements for an Antigua-based testing capability, engaging with relevant stakeholders and exploring potential sources of external funding.
David Hitchcock, Chairman of Powerhouse Energy Group plc, said:
“Powerhouse has developed its technology around the principle that difficult waste streams should be viewed not simply as liabilities, but as resources from which value may potentially be recovered.
“We are delighted to be part of this collaboration and to bring our DMG® technology, engineering capability and feedstock-testing expertise to the initiative.
“The opportunity to work alongside The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus and CSE Partnership is particularly exciting because it combines academic research, regional knowledge and our technology and engineering capabilities.
“The Caribbean faces some distinctive waste and energy challenges, with sargassum being one of the most visible examples. Developing research and testing capability in Antigua and Barbuda would enable these challenges to be examined using regional feedstocks and regional expertise.
“Subject to securing the necessary funding and agreeing definitive arrangements, our ambition is to help develop a platform that could have relevance not only for Antigua and Barbuda, but potentially for communities throughout the Caribbean and other island states facing similar challenges.”
Professor Justin Robinson, Principal of The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, said:
“UWI Five Islands Campus is committed to research and innovation that responds directly to the challenges and opportunities facing Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean.
“Sargassum, waste management and energy resilience are significant regional issues. This proposed collaboration provides an opportunity to bring academic research together with technology and industry expertise to investigate these challenges rigorously and explore solutions that are relevant to Caribbean circumstances.
“We are particularly excited by the potential to develop research capability here in Antigua and Barbuda, involving our researchers and students while generating knowledge that could ultimately have value across the region.
“Our ambition is to help establish Antigua and Barbuda as a place where important Caribbean challenges can be researched scientifically and where the resulting knowledge can contribute to solutions both here and throughout the wider region.”
Sir Richie Richardson, Head of CSE Partnership, said:
“For us, this initiative is fundamentally about giving Antigua and Barbuda the opportunity to lead.
“We began by looking at the challenges we face here at home – sargassum, waste, pressure on landfill capacity and energy security – but it quickly became apparent that these challenges are shared by countries throughout the Caribbean.
“Bringing together UWI Five Islands Campus and Powerhouse Energy creates an opportunity to put research, innovation, technology and knowledge at the centre of the solution.
“Our vision is for Antigua and Barbuda to become a place where solutions to Caribbean problems are researched, tested and developed, and where the knowledge generated here can ultimately be shared across the region.
“There is also a much bigger opportunity. Many Small Island Developing States around the world face exactly the same fundamental challenges that we face in the Caribbean. If we can develop and demonstrate solutions here, the knowledge we create could potentially have significance far beyond our shores.
“This is about turning a Caribbean challenge into a Caribbean opportunity.”
Supporting Film – “Turning a Caribbean Challenge into a Caribbean Opportunity”
An accompanying short film has been produced to explain the vision behind the proposed collaboration and the potential for Antigua and Barbuda to become a regional centre for waste-to-energy research and innovation.
The film explores the environmental challenge posed by sargassum and other difficult waste streams and the opportunity to combine Caribbean academic expertise, local leadership and British-developed technology to investigate new approaches.
For more information, contact:
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For more information, contact: |
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Powerhouse Energy Group Plc David Hitchcock Interim Executive Chairman |
+44 (0) 203 368 6399 |
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Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser) Ritchie Balmer / James Harris / Rob Patrick |
+44 (0) 207 409 3494 |
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Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited (Broker) Andy Thacker/ Guy McDougall |
+44 (0) 20 3657 0050 |
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Tavistock (Financial PR) Simon Hudson / Nick Elwes / Saskia Sizen |
+44 (0) 207 920 3150 |
About Powerhouse Energy Group plc
Powerhouse Energy has developed a process technology which can utilise waste plastic, end-of-life-tyres, and other waste streams to convert them efficiently and economically into syngas from which valuable products such as chemical precursors, hydrogen, electricity, heat and other industrial products may be derived. PHE’s process produces low levels of safe residues and requires a small operating footprint, making it suitable for deployment at enterprise and community level.
PHE also incorporates Engsolve Ltd, which is a revenue generating business who offer Engineering Services across all sectors with speciality services in the development of new technologies and clean energy.
For more information see www.phegroup.com
About The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus
The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus is located in Antigua and Barbuda and forms part of The University of the West Indies.
Under the proposed collaboration, the Campus would act as the academic anchor for the research initiative, supporting academic oversight, research participation, laboratory capability and independent evaluation and validation of operational data.
About CSE Partnership
CSE Partnership is an Antigua-based initiative focused on facilitating sustainable energy, environmental and development opportunities in Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean.
Under the proposed collaboration, CSE would act as project coordinator and facilitator, supporting stakeholder engagement, local liaison, project coordination and engagement with potential external funding sources and strategic partners.
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