The Nevis Island Government is now free to pursue the development of geothermal energy by its own means.
Premier of Nevis Joseph Parry made the announcement on January 18, 2013, two days after a High Court ruling gave the Administration the green light to do so.
Parry told the Department of Information that the Court ruled that West Indies Power, a company that had been contracted by the Administration to explore and develop geothermal energy on the island could no longer fulfil its end of the agreement.
“Two days ago the Court ruled that West Indies Power was in no position to meet its obligations. West Indies Power is a company that helped to develop geothermal energy on Nevis to a stage where it is proven that there is energy available for commercial use,” he said. “It means that because of that ruling the Government is in a position to end its arrangement with West Indies Power and to develop geothermal power itself and this is what the government is placing itself in a position to do.”
Parry expressed satisfaction with the Court’s ruling on the matter and informed that the Administration had already attracted other parties interested in the development of renewable energy on the island.
“I am very pleased with the Court’s ruling and I want to tell the people of Nevis that the Import Export Bank and other parties are interested in working with us. So we are now free to move forward with the development of geothermal power,” he said.
The Nevis Island had Administration led by Premier Joseph Parry due to rising prices in the world market was prompted to explore alternative energy sources.
West Indies Power was granted a licence to explore in 2007 and later on April 29, 2009 a geothermal contract was signed simultaneously with a Power Purchase Agreement with the Nevis Electricity Company ltd. the sole supplier of energy on Nevis.
The interesting part of this story is that the government of Nevis was able to find financing to develop the project so that it is owned by the government. However, the government has to contract with some experienced, financially sound company that has built binary geothermal plants and can demonstrate that they have worked effectively without polluting the environment or poisoning the citizens. it is one thing to build a facility that supplies all of Dominica’s power needs even allowing for reasonable further development but it is another to build a plant large enough to supply neighboring islands with much larger mega-watt demands. But that is precisely where the big profit lies and also a greatest burden on our very fragile ecological environment. It is that very pristine environment with its clean air and pure water, its year round whale and dolphin neighbors, it hot pools, boiling lake, and champagne snorkeling that are Dominica’s biggest tourist attractions. That and general warmth and good natured pleasantness of its people. Once lost these treasures can not be restored.
Sorry I didn’t mean to post twice.
West Indies Power Limited is the same company that the Government of Dominica gave a licence to explore geothermal energy development in Soufriere. It has been a few years now, and the company is yet to begin drilling. I do not expect WIP to do any drilling in Soufreire because they have no money. Another fly-by-night investor.
In any case, do we really need to set up a project in Soufriere when the Roseau Valley project can easily supply all the electricity the island needs?
Great Analysis NAHF!
ahem!!! if it’s not good for the valley, why would it be good for soufriere which is much more populated especially if u add the neighbouring scott’s head, gallion and pointe michel smh….
i think geothermal is a great way to go… but it has to be done right and people health should not be at risk…
I agree. The efforts into this Soufriere exploration should be put into improving our hydro capacity, right alongside geothermal. It can be done and warrants all efforts of funding it.
I am with you 100% on that but again who is the Lawyer behind WIP…