ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Vitality Minister Dr. Vince Henderson says the Authorities of Dominica is able to start developing a 10-kilowatt geothermal energy plant to complement the electrical energy provide from the Dominica Electrical energy Firm (DOMLEC).
The Dominica authorities is claimed to have invested almost US$50 million to this point in geothermal analysis, and Dr. Henderson mentioned, on a latest radio program, that checks accomplished at wells drilled in Laudat, an space within the middle of the island, have proven that there’s sufficient geothermal useful resource potential to transmit and distribute all through Dominica.
“Having accomplished that, we have now gotten to the stage the place we’re able to construct the ability plant and to get the ability to DOMLEC via a transmission system which is able to take us from the Roseau Valley to Fond Cole,” Dr. Henderson mentioned.
He added, ” We now have made nice progress and are very enthusiastic about the place we are actually as a result of we’re on the stage the place we’re prepared to start out work on the ability plant.”
On December 5, 2023, the Dominica authorities and DOMLEC signed an settlement with Ormat Applied sciences Inc. of Nevada, USA, to finance the plant’s building operation and preserve the ability plant and geothermal wells for 25 years.
The settlement, signed on the margins of COP28 in Dubai, mentioned the Authorities would preserve possession of the wells, lands, and different belongings it has invested in.
The power minister mentioned the federal government selected to spend money on geothermal power not as a result of it was simple however due to its potential to remodel Dominica.
“So, we have now the potential, and we see the way it will help to remodel Dominica’s power panorama, but additionally we are able to change issues round,” he mentioned, including that it is without doubt one of the most resilient types of renewable power.
“Photo voltaic and wind are good; they’ve their place, however there are additionally some severe challenges that geothermal doesn’t have.”
“When you drill, you construct a correct housing or facility for that plant. You don’t have to fret about hurricanes. It’s not like panels that may be blown away or damaged if some flying object knocks it up,” mentioned the power minister.
The Dominica authorities has explored the transition prospects to geothermal power sources for over 20 years. Dr. Henderson mentioned he’s excited concerning the prospects of eradicating the gas surcharge, which is usually the first price imposed on client’s electrical energy payments.
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