Dominica prepared to begin construction on 10KW geothermal power plant

The government of Dominica’s plans to build a 10-kilowatt power plant to augment the nation’s energy needs is proceeding on schedule. The Minister of Energy, Dr Vince Henderson, explained that the plant will help shed some of the load on the Dominica Electricity Company (DOMLEC) while ensuring that the nation’s energy needs are secured.

This is why the government of Dominica has invested in geothermal research specifically. Through test drilling, the government has been able to confirm that the central area of Laudat, if tapped, has the geothermal potential to power the entirety of Dominica in the coming years. Henderson explained the government’s approach in his statement, “Having done that, we have gotten to the stage where we are ready to actually build the power plant and to get the power to DOMLEC through a transmission system which will take us from the Roseau Valley all the way to Fond Cole.”

“We have made great progress, and we are very excited about where we are now because we are at the stage where we are ready to actually start work on the power plant.”

The government of Dominica and the Dominica Electricity Company (DOMLEC) made the decision to partner with a Nevada-based company named Ormat Technologies Inc by signing an agreement with them to construct, operate and maintain the power plant and geothermal wells for a period of 25 years.

The agreement stipulates that the government will continue to own the lands, wells and other assets that it has invested in the project.

It is interesting to note that the agreement was signed during COP28 in Dubai, which gave Caribbean nations access to multiple options for collaborating with nations and large-scale organizations around the world.

The government of Dominica has maintained that it prioritizes geothermal energy production because it is a brilliant alternative to more conventional means of producing energy.

Considering Dominica’s focus on sustainability, a switch to geothermal energy could well bring the nation within touching distance of achieving its goal of becoming the first fully sustainable nation in the world.

Dominica remains cognizant of the fact that it is often confronted by hurricane activity and dangerous weather systems as well. This is precisely why the nation has been moving towards climate-resilient infrastructure as well.

The introduction of geothermal power to the equation would provide the nation with a reliable energy source that is less prone to being affected by the elements. Thus, as the nation slowly but surely shifts towards geothermal power, it will find itself in a far more secure position with regard to consistent energy production.

Henderson added, “So, we have the potential, and we see how it can help to transform Dominica’s energy landscape, but also we can change things around. Solar and wind are good; they have their place, but there are also some serious challenges that geothermal doesn’t have.”

“Once you go, you drill, you build a proper housing or a proper facility for that plant, you don’t have to worry about hurricanes. It’s not like panels that can be blown away or broken if some flying object knocks it up.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBJqOiu2Vys

Henderson clarified that the concept of shifting to geothermal power is not a new one in Dominica as the nation has been considering the possibility and working towards it for 20 years.

He highlighted the fact that geothermal energy would allow the government to drop the fuel surcharge which makes a major portion of the electricity costs imposed on citizens when they receive their bills.

Thus, geothermal power seems to be the perfect fit for Dominica, as the system holds potential for expansion, offers the nation consistently produced energy, meets the environmental standards the nation wishes to adhere to and is immune to the elements.

In other words, geothermal power has the ability to check all the right boxes on Dominica’s list as the nation looks to more sustainable and resilient means of energy production.