Dominica signs geothermal development agreement with French territories

Minister Blackmoore and French representatives sign agreement
Minister Blackmoore and French representatives sign agreement

The government of Dominica has signed a transnational partnership agreement with the french territories to develop the geothermal sector in Dominica.

The signing ceremony took place on Thursday morning at the Fort young hotel. Minister of Energy Rayburn Blackmoore signed the agreement on behalf of the government of Dominica.

Speaking at Thursday’s forum, Blackmore reassured the public that the geothermal project will benefit the people of Dominica by reducing the cost of electricity by 30%.

“We can say based on our calculations that in the first instance with the commissioning and operation of that small plant, consumers in the first instance will be able to realize in excess of 30% reduction in their various light bills and as we graduate into the bigger export purposes we expect the actual ultimate price to be significantly less.”

The energy minister added that the requisite assessment is being done and that he is hopeful that the environmental impact assesment will be concluded before the actual drilling of the full sized wells.

He said that according to the energy sector report, Dominica is one of the highest in energy tariff which he said was a drag to any modern economy more so, a small emerging economy like Dominica. The Minister pointed out that a Geothermal Resources Bill has been developed and has gone through its first reading in Parliament.

“We are currently doing the requisite reviews for the express purpose of ensuring that every detail in terms of transparency is fulfilled. we hope therefore in due course this bill will go through the final reading stage in parliament and to become law. We have also put in place a deal team to engage potential developers.” This team is chaired by His Excellency Vince Henderson with support from the Clinton Climate Initiative.

Blackmoore also said that it is expected that more than is needed will be produced in Dominica, thus it would be beneficial to the country to export any excess of the resource.

“Cheaper and cleaner energy can only lead to less carbon emission, Dominica therefore is hopeful that it would be the first Carbon neutral country in the world after we have gotten to the point that we are aiming at.”

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit also spoke at the conference, pointing out that geothermal energy is going to be a “game changer” in the configuration of the Dominican economy. He added that the benefits derived from the development of geothermal energy in Dominica will be shared with Guadeloupe and Martinique.

“A Geothermal Development Unit (GDU) will be established. The unit will be responsible for continuing to promote investments in Dominica’s geothermal resources, ensuring that the interest of the state and other stakeholders in the geothermal enterprise is maintained and sustained, ensuring that the geothermal resource is being utilized in a safe and environmentally friendly and socially appropriate manner, and assisting in monitoring all safety and reliability issues for the sustainability of the resource and the organisation of geothermal plants.”

Blackmoore 2

Blackmoore 3

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50 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    September 29, 2013

    Geotherman can be a good thing, like hydro I am all for it but how can the minister say we will realize in excess of 30% reduction in our light bills, he don’t know Domlec man? Look what they did with Hydro! Has he put any guarantee or anything in place to beg that of Domlec??
    Domlec is the 800 pound gorilla in this thing. Sad but true.

    • Joe
      September 30, 2013

      I agree with you, they cannot be guessing what Domlec will and can do. They have to put it in writing and agreements.

  2. One Love
    September 27, 2013

    That room full of WHITE people and INDIANS . . . are these white people the same EUROPEAN COLONIZERS ????

    • Joe
      September 30, 2013

      How you come out putting white, Indian or race in that na? It sounds so ignorant and out of place.

  3. September 27, 2013

    I dont know what to believe anymore, so IF I see it happen, then I will rejoyce :-D

  4. Jungle
    September 27, 2013

    It sounds nice and neighbourly and may get some votes for Skerrit. But let’s take care of Dominica first. Supplying the neighbours with electricity is an engineering pipedream at this point.

  5. KISAA
    September 27, 2013

    a promise is comfort to a fool

  6. Anonymous
    September 27, 2013

    Come on Dominicans, why does everything bring out the petty politics in us? When are we going to stop nashing our teeth, and put our hands together for nation building?

  7. New Generation 2025
    September 27, 2013

    this country is going to reach a stage where everybody especially the red supporters is going to bawl “if i had known!”..it will be too late.educate yourself my fellow young ppl

  8. New Generation 2025
    September 27, 2013

    when you all think everybody that oppose to uwp and just calling radio is just talk and talk and just dont like skerrit…lol…think again..http://www.savingiceland.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/NEGATIVE%20ASPECTS%20OF%20GEOTHERMAL%20POWER%20GENERATION.pdf learn to read and listen my ppl.goodluck

  9. September 26, 2013

    Good Job Rayburn and Skero!
    Go for it Labor Party, and I mean at high speed. Don’t Stop! Let’s move this nation forward.

    I am encouraging United Workers Party to give full support to the Geothermal Development as we all know it’s for the economic benefit of Dominica and the neighboring French islands. We love Dominica!

    Thanks to DNO for keeping us informed.

  10. POSITIVELY DOMINICAN
    September 26, 2013

    This move appears extremely fishy. The body language speaks volumes. No eye-to-eye contact. This deal is questionable.

    A Concern Dominican

    • Juan Pablo
      September 26, 2013

      Good Job Negatively Dominican

    • DIABLO
      September 27, 2013

      you re right my brother
      blackmore and skerro making sure the amount and signature.

      i have 2 hot seats waiting for them at the bottom of the geo-thermal in hell.
      lol

      petro caribe was to bring electricity costs down?
      when?

      this is much better than the bin scandal because now the country is starving as businesses are closing its doors.

      tell austrie i like breast too

      never under estimate the public, u never know what a man would do once he is hungry enough.

  11. Mee3
    September 26, 2013

    i really wonder why this french company did not invest in geothermal in Martinique and guadeloupe when they both have the same potencial as Dominica. That is going to hurt us much more than it help us. Martinique or Guadeloupe do not rely on tourism, we do and take my word for it this is going to hurt the industry. I am not sure why the know it all leaders do not realise what they are doing. They are going to shut down the country investing in one thing that is going to harm the main stay of the economy. I hope Dominicans begin to tighten their belts.

  12. Not a herd follower
    September 26, 2013

    It was only yesterday the Prime Minister’s Principal Advisor Mr. Lambert said that the cost saving to the consumer re geothermal electricity is 40 to 50 per cent. Now, the Minister of Energy is saying the savings will be much less.

    • Juan Pablo
      September 26, 2013

      What’s your point? There will be savings…stop being a republican tea party or should I say a UWP Herd Follower

    • Jay
      September 26, 2013

      Roosevelt Skerrit also said 20 megawatt in his address today whereas Rayburn Blackmoore mentioned 10 to 15 megawatt when referring to the first, smaller power plant for domestic use. What is it? Don’t they correlate their speeches to get at least the facts right?

  13. Not a herd follower
    September 26, 2013

    DNO, what is the content of the agreement? What specifically did the parties agree to?

  14. trolol
    September 26, 2013

    Where all those U-Double-Upwee rites now? Skerrit making moves, cashing check’s and snapping necks. LABBOUURRR 8) :-P

  15. hmmm
    September 26, 2013

    The first time around they said it would reduce the cost of electricity by 40%, this time it’s 30%?
    hmmmmm

  16. TED Lewis ( Posie)
    September 26, 2013

    That’s a very good move for the development of
    Dominica. Once again i applaud the DLP administration for sticking to the task besides those few hiccups recently experience .
    However , i think the public need more information with regards to the agreement with Dominica and the French.
    For Eg, the word partnership implies that the plant will be own by Dominica and the french ( need clarity and i hope not). If so does this implies that the exported electricity will be free of cost to the french island?
    exactly who will own the plant? Are we only going to be collecting royalties? or are we going to be majority shareholders etc.
    I think the people have a right to know the real arrangement between Dominica and these french people. We are always told how the electricity cost will decline but i haven’t heard a single word as to the expected revenue that will be generated from the export of electricity to the french islands.

    i do hope that this plant will be 100% own by the people of Dominica. i Know there are financial difficulties but recently a country like Ghana went and raised 750 million United states dollars via a Euro Bond. Today they own their own oil . Food for thought.

  17. Finally
    September 26, 2013

    Ok, I see u Skerritt and Blackmoore ! Finally something good. Good news among all this presidential madness.

  18. him i am
    September 26, 2013

    i never voted labor i think i will this time i see the light of day coming. good job pm.

  19. Juan Pablo
    September 26, 2013

    While Labour is working, all the others just there talking

  20. great..
    September 26, 2013

    Our government is really working, Labour all the way!!!!!!!!!!

    • Truth
      September 26, 2013

      Signing a contract is working?

  21. Dasil
    September 26, 2013

    No one is commenting because its a good initiative by the government

    • no name
      September 26, 2013

      lol give them time they will.. i hate dominicans for that, when he do bad give him his pressure but when something good happen say it, rather stay quiet or be negative

    • awa wi
      September 26, 2013

      i always laugh at comments like these enno. when other governments made good initiatives did you comment positively? that being said, i do believe it is a good vibes for dominica IF IT IS DONE PROPERLY.based on the track record of the present administration i think people are going to be skeptical. i mean come on we have been taken for a ride so many times that we don’t even know what to believe from these guys. i can clearly remember a hundred promises in a hundred days(reduction in the price of meat,flour,milk etc,the employment agency etc, more public sector appointments etc imagine eh i cyan even remember some of dem.lol) then came the petro-caraibe supermove which would have reduced price at the pumps and our electricity bill already.right now in DCa i think that we have to see it to believe it enno. we tired with political promises especially when election in the air. we need to know the fine print of the agreement cause as far as we know the profits could be cashed by the investors with little trinkets(sponsor a little league, build one two little house while the majority receive nothing) for dominicans who are going to bear the brunt of any backlash. i hope that in the rush to say that we did it that our stake in this promising venture is not compromised and that due diligence is followed in ensuring that it adds value to us as a nation.

      • September 27, 2013

        What is in the agreement and who really own the plant untill you have a copy of the document in your hand not a revise one we need a copy of the original agreement what is wrong with that, we have been taking things from this GOVT for granted much too long look what is happening with VENEZUELA they want their money to be able to take care of their poeple, go back to what we were told by the same PM and ministers and did it work out that way people of D’ica we all want good for the Island regardless who is trying or not but we cannot afford to sit back any more we want to be engaged in every and all project that’s going to involve our people and Island.
        A Govt who have done good for their people and it’s Island or Country and it’s in the best interest of it’s residents should be appreciated but not afterward to be told or realize that it was not so so you see the people have all rights to be skeptical especially the young people because they will be left to pay the price

  22. Country Man
    September 26, 2013

    The following statement is the problem with the geothermal project development in Dominica.
    Speaking at Thursday’s forum, Blackmore reassured the public that the geothermal project will benefit the people of Dominica by reducing the cost of electricity by 30%.
    Is Blackmore qualified to make such a statement? I am not sure that there is any Geothermal power plant development company that can make that statement. That is what Blackmore and the Gov’t would like to see but that does not mean what we are going to get – as a matter of fact I don’t see this happening with a newly constructed geothermal power plant in Dominica, especially if it is built to meet the best in class environmental measures for development and operation

    • Joe
      September 26, 2013

      Country Man what is wrong with you?

      Blackmore is a politician boss, he gets his information from his technical team I thought at least that you would know!!!!! So you really believe every single thing that happens on island is actually done by the politicians? So Obama speaks on Obama Care, do you believe it is Obama who implements it?? You have me baffle boss la!!!!

      The project will reduce the cost of electricity it is a proven fact so go away with your foolish negativity!!!!!!! I sometimes wonder about you ppl eno, where did you all come from or where do you live? If it was happening in another OECS island you would be the first to say look at what that island is doing, see how much money they going to save bla bla bla and jump and say Dominica backward etc etc etc yet when it is happening here for our benefit is it won’t work….

      it’s a good thing is only a handful of all you narrow-minded EDDIOTS it have!!! That Inferiority Complex all you suffering with will cure one day!!!

      • awa wi
        September 26, 2013

        so u are saying we should just believe everything a politician says??? Darwinism(stupidity eliminates the stupid) should have taken care of your kind ages ago. lol lol

      • Country Man
        September 26, 2013

        Joe – I must say you are blind. That was the same argument used when the hydro project was being pursued. It was the same argument used with the recent petro caraibe deal. I can tell you with great confidence that what Blackmore is saying is not realistic if this is to be done right. Go talk to Ormat, Turbine Air Services and a host of other geothermal power companies and they will tell you that this number is a dream in today’s economy with the cost of borrowing and investment risk. I am Dominican and wish the best for Dominica but I have to be honest in my assessment.

      • Country Man
        September 26, 2013

        Joe – from what reference point are you making your arguments. I am just stating a fact whether it is Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Kitts/Nevis. Look at what has been going on in Nevis with its geothermal project that should have been up and running in 2008. Find out more about the investment and operational cost of Bouillante, find out more about RAM power project in Nicaragua, Get the details on the projects in Costa Rica, find out the details on the projects in Kenya(which are much bigger in scope than what is being proposed in DA) and get a sense of the financial difficulties faced by these project and their economics. Most of these project have PPAs in the range of .08 – .12 USD/kWh and have various incentives for such a price. Then you have to look at transmission cost and other external cost before it gets to the consumer. Numbers don’t lie my friend.

    • Yes!YES!
      September 26, 2013

      I don’t think that he is qualified and I also don’t think the leader of the UWP is qualified to be PM with just a birthcertificate

      • September 27, 2013

        The time you spend bashing Lennox look what Skerrit and Savarin is doing to your CONSTITUTION and Savarin dont have a degree, before you take out the beam from others eyes clean out your first.

  23. Sad
    September 26, 2013

    that is what the labour party is all about, development. you thing we are going to take the risk to put workers in power to bring us back to 1995, no way.

    • halibut
      September 26, 2013

      What hell development???? just a set of debt on our poor backs??? but is so all you labourites like it…every wednesday dress up in all you red t-shirt and go and beg for money in de red clinic.

      • stonez
        September 26, 2013

        who had domininca on the black list?for the amount of dept uwp left for skerrit to take care of.i tired tell alu UWP is all about dont do and let me do it…alu too sootiweh

    • September 26, 2013

      we already in 1995 under dlp so what you talking about workers all the way

    • awa wi
      September 26, 2013

      all now we in 1985 wi with allyu.lol lol

  24. September 26, 2013

    Our PM is working and move D/ca to the next level, while they talking nonsense on radio his is working.. don’t be afraid the international airport is coming.Laborrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrpower. who vex get lost.

  25. Lougaoo Mem
    September 26, 2013

    No doubt with “Safe First,” this will be a big win for the Dominican people and the economy. I totally agree it’s going to be a game changer for doing business on the island. Good deal!

    • awa wi
      September 26, 2013

      do you even know the deal? boy allyu not ez eh in dca. domlec was hydro wi and see how we end up with them. let us act as the educated nation we are and analyze things before we celebrate. its like saying my wife pregnant wi and you start jumping around baby coming!baby coming! next ting bradax is a jacket for u to wear dat not really your size. lol lol

      • stonez
        September 26, 2013

        shut up bec ur party was the one so sold CDC!!u forget that?

  26. Discombobulated
    September 26, 2013

    One phrase! “Good news”. It’s about time we did something worthwhile.

  27. Twisted
    September 26, 2013

    Hope that the environmental impact is minimal.
    Hope this Geothermal Project is successful.It would really be a game changer.

  28. blackheartman
    September 26, 2013

    Thought the guy for Ems said that government timeline for the development of geothermal isn’t feasible

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