The Dominica Electricity Company (DOMLEC) has begun negotiations for a new license to operate in Dominica, Executive Director of the Indepedent Regulatory Commission (IRC) Lancelot McCaskey has said.
In March this year the IRC said it was going ahead with island wide consultations, with or without DOMLEC, to determine what type of license should be granted to the sole electricity company.
McCaskey told a press conference on Monday that negotiations began several months after attempts to get DOMLEC to sit at the table.
In the past the IRC had accused DOMLEC of ‘dragging its feet’ with regard to negotiating a new license. DOMLEC’s current license expires in December 2015.
“What will decide whether they get a new license or not would be the conditions that we are going to settle. In fact, we already have two draft licenses, one for generation, one for transmission distribution and supply,” McCaskey revealed.
According to McCaskey the power company must meet all requirements in order to remain in the Dominican market.
“They know what they have to abide by, they would have to present to the commission codes that are standards of operation for both generation and transmission distribution and those standards will have to be proved by the commission,” he pointed out. “If we cannot get through that process then the commission has the possibility of seeking electricity supply somewhere else but DOMLEC being the utility, we have to deal with DOMLEC.’
Meantime McCaskey said the IRC has not been able to create new rates for DOMLEC.
When last I checked my bill my consumtion was 120.00 and the fuel surcharge was 120.65 this means that it takes one dollar of fuel to generate one dollars worth of electricity if this is correct then their generators are grossly inefficient and outdated.Is it that Domlec is extorting maximum fees from us before the thermal project comes on stream.The question is what will be Domlec’s role when the Thermal project comes into operation
okay
Don’t give it to them. They ripping us off.
This is so ridiculous that I find it hard pressed to even laugh at this matter.
The people of Dominica are suffering even more because of this IRC. The concept is a nice idea, but the way it is set up and run in Dominica is absolutely foolish.
If I had to invest in power production it would not be in Dominica as long as this IRC is set up the way it is. I’m very surprised that WRB has kept ownership (majority shares) of this company. I know it’s not anywhere as profitable as it used to be and with all the extra stress from the government (IRC), it must be a headache to have to deal with the politics.
Now what I’m reading between the lines here is that the IRC is going to basically suggest to DOMLEC that they break up the company into generation production and then distribution. That’s why they’ve already prepared two licenses. Interestingly just around the time when the geothermal plant is promised to have at least 5 MW ready for use. So, that means that the government can get to use the electrical lines so that they wont have to run their own network. Interesting!
Dominicans, be careful with what these people are saying to you. For some reason a little bit of the truth sneaks in every time they speak.
Get ready for they change. Let’s see if it’s going to be good or bad.
This Lancelot McCaskey fella and IRC thinks the only way they can justify the their large salaries is by give press releases and making foolish comments. Energy is serious business, do your work and stop trying to fight Domlec on the media. Why can’t they regulate Dowasco, LIME , MArpin, SAT, Digicel, etc too?
This is so ridiculous that I find it hard pressed to even laugh at this matter.
The people of Dominica are suffering even more because of this IRC. The concept is a nice idea, but the way it is set up and run in Dominica is absolutely foolish.
If I had to invest in power production it would not be in Dominica as long as this IRC is set up the way it is. I’m very surprised that WRB has kept ownership (majority shares) of this company. I know it’s not anywhere as profitable as it used to be and with all the extra stress from the government (IRC), it must be a headache to have to deal with the politics.
Now what I’m reading between the lines here is that the IRC is going to basically suggest to DOMLEC that they break up the company into generation production and then distribution. That’s why they’ve already prepared two licenses. Interestingly just around the time when the geothermal plant is promised to have at least 5 MW ready for use. So, that means that the government can get to use the electrical lines so that they wont have to run their own network. Interesting!
Dominicans, be careful with what these people are saying to you. For some reason a little bit of the truth sneaks in every time they speak.
Get ready for they change. Let’s see if it’s going to be good or bad.
YOU WILL BE SUPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES JUST WAITING FOR THE MARKET TO OPEN UP.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN DOMINICANS COULD NOT SEE BEYOND CABLE AND WIRELESS,LOOK AT THE TEL-COM SECTOR TODAY.
IRC cannot touch rates because the company is guaranteed to make a profit. What makes the rates high is the 70% use of fuel. Ways have to be found to force them to improve on cheaper means such as hydro, wind, solar whater the means to ease the high rates on the population.
NATIONALIZE DOMLEC. It’s our only salvation from this animal.
Well said. You sound like a well educated person. If our government was thinking like you we would be a great nation. Too much selfish thinking within our government. They only think of their pockets.
“…two draft licenses, one for generation, one for transmission distribution and supply,” McCaskey revealed.
They even own the grid too, who made this bad deal?? That should amount to treason.!
Domlec has proved they cannot handle generation of power. They neglected Hydro – IN THE ABUNDANCE OF WATER. Even I can do what Domlec is doing to Dominicans, which is purchase huge deisel generators and make Dominicans pay.
Do not give them license to generate electricity. Let’s sacrifice to get this right for our selves and future generations.
At last we have Domlec where we want them. Make Domlec explain the electricity bill, we are being charged almost double for no reason other than greed.
Why have Domelec not begun to berry power cables? In the long run it reduces cable replacement and reduces Cancer caused by High voltage lines.
We don’t owe you two million dollars for street lighting any more. Domelec were charging the government for lighting streets that had no street lights and the executive insulted our country, government, Prime Minister and people when we questioned this and the Prime Minister paid them.
Domelec, the shoe is now on the other foot and the foot is firmly in you *ss.
Another version
The Dominica Electricity Company (DOMLEC) will need all the backup power available when it connects with the Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC). The company must negotiate a new license to operate in Dominica. The process may be one-sided as DOMLEC will have to prove that is can provide the electricity services Dominica needs.
In March this year the IRC said it was going ahead with island wide consultations, with or without DOMLEC, to determine what type of license should be granted to the sole electricity company.
McCaskey told a press conference on Monday that negotiations began (when?) after several attempts to get DOMLEC to sit at the table. In fact, we already have two draft licenses; one for generation, and another for transmission, distribution and supply,” McCaskey said. He did not say whether DOMLEC had any input in those draft licenses.
In the past the IRC had accused DOMLEC of ‘dragging its feet’ on negotiating a new license. DOMLEC’s current license expires in December 2015. [END of story.]
I do not care who have Domlec all i want to see is – 57.8% from my bill . I have a frege, a tv,a fan, 5 bulbs 3 at 40 wats and 2 at 60 wats and a small sterio and my bill is $478.00 so i went to pay as you go and my bill is $473.00.Then i went to Domlec they sent a person to check my house and he said to me every thing is ok.so i went to my Mp and my Mp said to me go see dee Pm then i went to see dee Pm then they direct me to a nice english speaking man and he said to me his bill is higher than mine and theres nothing dee Pm can do for me so i ask my self why should my Mp send me to the Pm.I would like to know the millions of $ of profit Domlec has been making if they cut it by 45% what would happen to Domlec .
So if their license expires in 2015 and the geothermal plant should come online in two years time as quoted by the PM, say about 2015 for the latest, will the license be renewed for only distribution and transmission? At least this time the government has a a feather in its cap. Domlec no longer calls the shots.
let them go bills to high
Wow, this is on international website. If you don’t renew their license then, yall out of power. There is no other supplier….
DOM UR NOT A DOMINICAN MAN WA U THINKIN SO IF IT MEANS THEY HAVE 2 PACK UP & GO DAY HAVE 2 CUZ WE DON’T NEED DEM ANYMORE.
That’s what Dominicans are afraid of, that’s why Domlec is taking unfair advantage of us all. We are afraid of taking risk of not having power for a few days or weeks to fix this, that’s why when a demonstration is called to get them to act or fix Hydro, only a few Dominicans show up. Domlec knows Nou peh, nou capon.
dont worry dominicans they must get their license,, just pass someting under de table
domlec huge profits, and high electric bills are a point for discussion
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sell the company to EDF OF france that was rosie plan sell the company to EDF of france
Domlec should only be granted a generation license. End of story. That generation license should only be granted upon submission of Domlec’s investment plans in solar, wind, and hydro generation and phasing out of diesel based generators.
Remove transmission/distribution and supply from Domlec please.
tell them we living in modern tec.why we still old fashion and always power shortage…just like dowasco we claim we have more water and pure water than the whole world and we still have water prolem.get french /american/canadian engineers and enough of the chines
Dominica have engineers too!
WA U MEAN BU IF DOMINICA HAVE ENGINEERS TOO? U DIE NAH.