Aruba and the Netherlands announce the dismantling and repurposing of the former Lago refinery.
ORANJESTAD – On November 8, 2025, Prime Minister Mike Eman of Aruba and Prime Minister Dick Schoof of the Netherlands announced the historic decision to end the oil refining era in Aruba.
The former Lago Refinery in San Nicolas will be completely dismantled and repurposed for sustainable and inclusive development.
"For nearly a century, the refinery served as the backbone of Aruba's industrial era," stated Prime Minister Eman. “Generations of Arubans have built their lives around this plant. But the future demands courage. Today, we close that chapter not only with memories of the refinery’s contribution but, above all, with conviction—to open a new chapter of innovation, sustainability, and the common good.”
The refinery also played a key role in world history. During World War II, the Lago Refinery in Aruba was one of the most important suppliers of fuel to the Allied Forces, thus making a significant contribution to the liberation of Europe and the Netherlands. This historical significance makes this moment of transformation all the more special.
The Aruban government has formally requested technical support from the Dutch government for the safe dismantling and remediation of the site and for the preparation of international tenders for the redevelopment of the area.
Prime Minister Schoof, who arrived in Aruba directly from COP30, praised the decision as a courageous and visionary step that transforms the past into a future.
“Aruba is demonstrating leadership by transforming what once supplied the world with energy into a source of recovery,” Schoof said.
The Dutch government is processing Aruba’s request for technical support and will also contribute €50 million from a special energy transition fund for the strengthening and modernization of the electricity grid and sustainable energy infrastructure. The redevelopment of the extensive Refineria di Aruba (RDA) site offers the prospect of transforming San Nicolas into a hub for clean energy, maritime innovation, circular industries, housing, culture, and green infrastructure—fully in line with the vision of the Common Good and sustainable prosperity.
To successfully manage this multi-year project, the Government of Aruba—with the support of the Netherlands—intends to establish a robust structure for the governance, coordination, and transparency of the entire decommissioning and redevelopment process. This structure will ensure that the project meets the highest international standards of safety, environmental protection, and institutional quality.
