Editor’s note: The following is a statement by Energy Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, in response to a call made by UWP Senator, Norris Prevost, to Government, to “thoroughly review the geothermal option and consider placing more emphasis on hydro energy.”
The call by the Opposition for the Government of Dominica to put the development of our geothermal resources on hold is laughable.
The Government of Dominica thus far has executed its plan geared towards developing the country’s geothermal potential with absolute precession. In fact the Dominica Labour Party has historically been championing Dominica’s effort in the development of our renewable energy potential.
Dominica’s geothermal power generation potential was first identified forty-three (43) years ago, that is in 1969 in a report done by the UNDP. The other significant steps were taken first in 2003 with a major study sponsored by the OAS in partnership with Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that confirmed and estimated the extent of the geothermal potential. The other step was the 2008 EU-funded INTERREG III-B (1.2 M€ grant) feasibility study on the quality and extent of geothermal resource in Wotten Waven and the viability of a subsea electrical transmission line with Guadeloupe and Martinique, and pre-assessment of the environmental impact of such a development.
This brings us to the just completed exploratory drilling stage where three (3) test wells were completed and tested in June 2012 and confirmed the high potential of the geothermal resource in Wotten Waven with high enthalpy and porosity of the reservoir. That last step was financed by grants from AFD, FFEM (Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial), the European Union’s European Development Fund (EDF) and contributions of the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
One can judge from the records and history of the tangible actions taken to date that the Geothermal Resource Development in Dominica can be considered the ‘brainchild’ of the Dominica Labour Party. It is also very clear from the unprecedented interest and support of the international donor community that we are doing things right on this geothermal resources development and we are now on the verge of having the largest geothermal power plant in the Caribbean. Besides, the magnitude of the 120 megawatt generation capacity will not only be impactful locally but regionally and globally. Notwithstanding, we having been hearing bold pronouncements by certain members of the Opposition claiming that hydropower expansion being a better option than geothermal for advancing Dominica’s renewal energy objectives.
In May 1975, the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board of the United Kingdom conducted a study on the Hydro Electric Development in Dominica. The study focused on recommending the most favourable site for hydropower potential for further detailed study.
The following five (5) rivers were studied:
1. Layout River
2. Boeri River
3. Macoucherie River
4. White River
5. Check Hall River
From the five rivers studied, the following three (3) were considered worthy of further interest:
• Layout river
• Macoucherie
• White River
Out of the three (3) rivers mentioned above the White River was considered the most attractive for development from a financial point of view. The maximum expected hydropower capacity for the White River with a low dam was 2.50 megawatt, that is, 48 times less capacity of the proposed 120 MW geothermal power capacity in the Roseau Valley. That does not even take into consideration the considerable less stream flow available some 37 years later.
Without even having to discount the associated environmental, social and recreational concerns we are very clear that the hydropower alternative being suggested by the Opposition cannot be the way to invest in the energy security and independence and to bring about cheaper and more affordable electricity to the people of this country.
In 1973, forty (40) years ago, the world experienced the first world oil crisis. The net importing energy countries placed energy security to the fore of their policy development. However, forty (40) years later the challenges especially for poor developing states remain the same. The reality is that there are a number of CARICOM countries; Suriname, Trinidad, Brazil with natural gas and proven oil but the vast majority of CARICOM States like Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts do not have natural gas or proven oil. The alternative that we have is renewable energy sources and we should do everything possible to harness them. In Dominica’s case our greatest hope in terms of renewable energy is in geothermal development and we are committed as a Government to ensuring that that resource is developed to the benefit of all Dominicans. In our party manifesto we gave the Dominican people the commitment during this term to put in our plans to developing of our geothermal potential into action and that is precisely what we are doing. We have the potential as a people of being the leading producer of geothermal energy in the Caribbean. We must therefore start planning for the prosperity that may emerge out of this effort
Comparing Geothermal and Hydro would make sense IF and only IF the comparison was to consider electricity production for Dominica only. In such case, yes, probably both have their pros and cons. And this could be an interesting debate.
But today’s geothermal project is not about Dominica only. The main objective is to export most of the energy to the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe; This is why the French have started investing in the project. And this will give DOminica a never ending daily income , similar to those petrol countries . Amounts will be less of course, but you are looking at millions of cash every year, just using what nature gave us. Can this be challenged ? We are talking about nearly a million xcd per day, 350,000,000 xcd per year !!! Can you remind me what is the budget ?
lets be honest ppl ?
where we going with hydro and the rivers are drying up
checkhall river is the one by massacre primary, havent u seen it recently ?
TO DNO,Why was my piece rejected? Was it because it was well-written and you don’t want non-national to see that not all Dominicans write crap? Or is it a fact that your sentiments govern your reason; and you have the govt. _ and by extention Dominica_ that your keeping it from the electorate, fearing they’ll be better equipped to reject your party lies?
Correction starting on third line after the semicolon should read:and you don’t want the govt.
and by extention all Dominicans to benefit from this project that you’re keeping it away from the electorate.
I don’t mind geo but what i find why in the vally, one of our primer tourist sites, the boiling lake vally of desolation Trafolger Falls. When the plant is builted their may be no more acess, why not somewhere else D.A have plenty volcanoses.
The minister is not fully informed. Maybe the advisors are only referring to a couple of reports within sight! Hydro power development in the island started way back about 1950 with the first Trafalgar plant. Plants were added in the late 60s and early 90s. Various studies were undertaken during that period and yes, after 1975 as well. Indeed the 1990 hydro expansion considered a number of possibilities and yielded 5 MW of expansion. There were feasibility studies which lead to that expansion in 1990 which go beyond the 1975 report. The case for economic justification being made is fairly weak. I am not saying that hydro would turn out to be cheaper, just that the feedback is not only one sided but lacking all the available documentation reviews.
Now on the issue of Geothermal research and interests. Again the information is lacking. In the 1980s the Freedom party actually had an agreement to exploit geothermal energy with a company that ended up not fulfilling its contract. Domlec was obligated at that time to buy whatever power was produced. It was actually a joint company formed with the government. Mr Minister, please have the technocrats do a bit more research for you. Perhaps the technocrats whop looked into this simply are basing evidence from recent memory.
Finally a case for financial justification cannot be made on the merits of costs per MW installed alone. One has to factor operational, maintenance and environmental costs, costs of capital, societal cots, and possibilities of tariff increases (with all its ramifications), even opportunity costs and the regulatory environment. Further one has to do present value projections to properly account for potential cash flows into the future for each alternative.
Like everything else with benefits, only fools will not know that there are risks. We have heard of the possible benefits of both sources of energy, but we need to know the risks as well so that we can weigh and consider and make informed and determined decisions being aware of whatever consequences.
Of course, this does not mean if there are risks we shouldnot venture. I know eggs must be broken to have omelettes but we need to know so we can plan intelligently.
What?
Talk english.
These guys never fail to disappoint. Mr. Blackmore, the other member of parliament has a duty to hold you to account for your actions. I find you use of the word “laughable” to be highly unprofessional, confrontational and insulting. You have every right to rebut and I think it is a good thing to shed light on your decision to move ahead with your proposal, but to describe the opposition’s comments as laughable takes away from the message you are trying to convey. Please rise above that level of petty politiucs
Ray, you are spot on – geothermal energy is precisely the way forward. That’s not to discount hydro, but the fact is that our water table is significantly lower than in the past – exactly where does Norris Prevost intend to get water to drive the hydro turbines? An energy plant with the one you’re proposing could potentially open the door to sizeable foreign investment – the availability of cheap, reliable energy is a major attraction for businesses. It not only is a good selling point in trying to bring businesses to our shores, but it fits right in with our “Nature Isle” meme.
you are talking at cross purposes. What do you think will be the impact on the already “significantly lower water table”?
it is mpossible to measure the enthalpy of a system.
But what is wrong with Dominicans?
Anonymous, this time you really have me foxed. What the hell is “ENTHALPY”. Seriously, I have looked everywhere but can not find it. Please, educate me and others … I’m not being sarcastic, I genuinely do not know. Thank you.
Google it.
I will say that the development of our geothermal resources is long overdue. When the government makes bad decisions i will be the first to speak up. In this case i think it is a great potential for development. We need a variety of renewable energy resource and geothermal is one of them. I understand it is tough because it requires very large capital investments just to get going as we can see
I would like to allow see the government focusing more on eencouraging foreign manufacturing companies to move to Dominica by securing contacts now so once the geothermal plant is complete they are ready to move in. We can use the state college to train individuals in the mean time. I see employment. What ever wattage is left can then be exported.
All in all i think the geothermal investment will be good for Dominica.
it just constantly amazes me how people in Dominica do not wish to move forward. Dominica is fortunate to have the option of being able to harness both forms of energy. Hydro-electricity has been used for years, what is the issue with developing geothermal energy. This is being harnessed all over the world. Stop being so backward thinking folks, the island is going nowhere with this constant knocking back of everything which can provide a step forward.
I don’t think that Dominicans are backwards, but instead, they are wise to question the geothermal project. First, nature is good to us in terms of blessing us with its natural attractions.Unfortunately, nature can also be cruel, and digging around into our soil have made our disasters even more disastrous. Furthermore, we all know Dominicans will continue to pay high electricity bills, because the projects are meant to supply energy to other countries. Dominicans rarely win, and in this case, the country will get some revenue, but when nature strikes, Dominica will suffer the impact of allowing people to deplete resources that places it at risk for more major disasters.
Amen! Forward ever backward never.
the opposition are not only their to oppose. but they should support when they see it necessary. the UWP were the ones who sold DOMLEC shares over, and now see what DOMLEC can do to us without even consulting with the ppl. GEOTHERMAL is the way to go. if we dont see it now and work on it now then we wont get it again… PM Skerrit – GO FOR GEOTHERMAL AT ALL COST !!
Good piece, remove the politics from it and do whats best for the country, I do understand the point made by the minister and it is time to move on to another source if the studies indicate that it will be safe
According to the minister the viability test for hydro potential was done 38 years ago , however he has failed to realize or deliberately left out the fact that technology 38 years ago have developed so much that things that were considered impossibilities back then is a “piece of cake now” (very possible now). Just like the blinding effect of cataract back then can now be easily corrected nowadays with laser treatment. The point is if the debate is between which form of alternative energy that is more viable economically and safe environmentally then we need a fresh set of data on both sides (methods) to make the best informed decision. His debate of comparing a BEDfORD TRUCK of the 70S to a Navara of modern times is a bad analogy (Compare a Navara with a Mitsubishi sportero instead). I am all for new alternative source of energy which ever is better for us .
Do you believe they we have the ability to produce sufficient energy using hydro turbines. What is the output of the recently refurbished domlec hydro plant. It its true that technology has progressed but has it progressed sufficiently to compare to the output from geothermal sources?
Look joke! Man address the question and stop talking about 40 years ago; time and science has moved on. What do you mean the suggestion by Mr. Provost is laughable? Once again a dwmonstration of the disrespect shown towards the people of Dominica.
But since 1975 very substantal progress has been made in hydropower micro plants. It is time these were looked at.
What is the current output in terms of watts and consumtion by Dominica today?
Give the people shares, I say; so that their children an grandchildren can benefit.
It seems that government has done their research. We have to give a little to get a lot.