Climate Resilience: Dominica to built Geo-thermal plant by 2022

Dominica: Citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica will shortly reap a new geothermal plant's rewards expected to be built in 2022.

It forms part of the government's goal to build a climate-resistant nation, while seeking to reduce the cost of electricity for consumers and supply electricity to the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, which in turn will encourage foreign exchange.

The plant will be built in the Roseau Valley and is expected to generate approximately 120 megawatts of electricity when completed.

His Ambassador to the OAS, Dr Vince Henderson stated that more than $25 million has been invested in this project to date. He explained that the Prime Minister provided some of these funds through the CBI programme, while the rest came from donor agencies.

"What we actually sent is probably 5 million American funds from the CBI inflow to finance the geothermal project. We have therefore invested US$5 million for the acquisition of land for the operation of the geothermal company. We would expect the rest of the funds for the actual project to come from our partners, who will bring in about $25 million in equity and the balance of the funds we will get from lenders like the World Bank; we will use the grants from the United Kingdom which is the fund we were able to get, said Dr Henderson.

He also mentioned some of the benefits of the plant and notes: 'geothermal energy can work without emissions, serve as a power source, and this is actually the only way Dominica can transition from diesel generation to renewable energy in a very efficient way for the benefit to citizens and consumers, you will see a reduction in tariffs and what we do know,’ Ambassador explained.

Dr Henderson further said the government is also looking at ways to sell energy to French territories in the region.

"We need a partner. We have to export, which is one reason why we negotiated with a consortium of French companies to develop the domestic plant and export quickly. Because we have a wonderful opportunity here to obtain royalties by selling power from geothermal to French territories," he added.

To accomplish this mission, the government has several development partners who help financially. These include organizations such as the World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, Small Island Developing States - SIDS Dock, and the Clinton Foundation.

Source: GIS Dominica