Geo-thermal test drilling to begin in four weeks
Dominica News Online - Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 at 5:08 PM
Ongoing work at the site
A geo-thermal site located in Laudat is expected to be ready for test drilling in next four weeks, in a move that is aimed at repositioning Dominica as an energy exporter.
This is according to Minister of Public Works Rayburn Blackmoore, who led a ministerial visit to the site earlier today. Blackmoore indicated that the work is well underway for the drilling process to begin.
He stated, “Our greatest hope is in geo-thermal [energy]. We have to start with the actual drilling of the test wells and then the test component to follow to ascertain the quality and quantity of the resource. So what we are doing now is developing the access for Site Two and we expect to see the completion of the access component to the pad in the next four weeks so that we can have the commencement of the actual drilling component, which will take one month and will be followed by the actual testing.”
Blackmoore addressing journalists earlier today
The minister said that two Icelandic companies have been engaged for the drilling and testing components and the Government is confident that geothermal energy will be the way forward for Dominica since the aim is not just to make our electricity cheaper, but also to sell energy to the French isles of generate enough energy to export to Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“Our local consumption need in terms of energy generation is about 16 mega watts and by 2016, 2020 we might get to 20 mega watts. We think that we have the potential to generate up to 120 mega watts from geothermal, which means we have to sell most of the resource. That’s why the whole issue of the interconnection between the French departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique is so critical via sub-marine cables,” Blackmoore said.
He gave assurances that the drilling will be done in a way that will be ecologically and environmentally responsible as is mandated by one of the funding partners, the French Development Agency.
The $5-million project is also funded by the European Union.
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12 Comments
big joke see how long USA drilling for Geo-thermal do you people kno how far you gotta drill think of dat
At least 2 miles down.
so what’s your point!!!! there are many examples of Functioning geothermal plants. Are you retarded or do you just complain for complaining sake. The Minister may be an idiot but there is nothing wrong with Geothermal
Geo-thermal energy is the way to go, and I support any exploration of such resource that has been a part of our island from creation. There’s no time to play politics with the darn project. Let’s all support the darn thing, because it’s a sure way to bring relief to every household, (re. to energy bills) and to promote growth in every business sector on our island. Go for it D/ca!
While we ALL support it, we should also ask a few questions:
1 – With almost identical terrain and topography as Dominica, and with all their availability of capital, why doesn’t Martinique and Guadeloupe build their own geo-thermal plant?
2 – With the current seismic activity, do we have a contingency plan for the safety of nearby residents in the event of a major earthquake which may be triggered by such drilling?
Great idea for Dominica, but please keep in mind that geothermal plant construction can adversely affect land stability. Subsidence has occurred in the Wairakei field in New Zealand. Enhanced geothermal systems can trigger earthquakes as part of hydraulic fracturing. The project in Basel, Switzerland was suspended because more than 10,000 seismic events measuring up to 3.4 on the Richter Scale occurred over the first 6 days of water injection.
This Geothermal drilling is a TERRIBLE MISTAKE! Please watch the video at the link below:
http://www.putlocker.com/file/1F1R8WAKKCBYF#
Please contact Mr. Blackmore and the relevant authorities to stop the project. The moment the drilling begins, Dominica’s main natural sites will be doomed! Lord Help Us!!!!
IT was a good idea brought about by the Mahaut Govt. School in their Science Fair some years ago. Bernard and company..
Now the idea is utilized. Great job.
i hope jobs will be created so i can get one
Great, there is so much potential here! Let’s hope that DNO and people in the know will keep us all informed as to progress.
ok where are they going to throw the waiste make a long pipe to the sea? all the natural water going to be contaminated by oil of the excavators and trucks bird island i the onlt place to drill and they selling it( heres how they sell in it dominica keeps takin loan from chavez and after a cetian amont of time if the loan cant be paid back chavez well declare bird island is his
You got to be kidding me. With a news report like that with so much potential for the country, this is your best shot? smh
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