The Government of Saint Lucia (GoSL) is continuing to make significant progress in developing the country’s geothermal potential.
This progress is encouraged by the recent receipt of grants from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Small Island Developing States Renewable Energy project (SIDS DOCK), facilitated by the World Bank.
The GEF and SIDS DOCK, through the World Bank, have approved US$2 Million to contribute towards the first phase of geothermal development assistance to the Government of Saint Lucia. These funds will be used to support surface exploration, as well as transaction and negotiations assistance in order to help the Government of Saint Lucia reach a fair and equitable concession agreement with the geothermal developer.
It will facilitate agreements on off-take and integration of geothermal power within the domestic power market, for which LUCELEC currently has exclusivity. The GEF and SIDS DOCK funds will go towards developing and issuing several key policies and associated regulations, including mainstreaming the National Utility Regulatory Commission (NURC) as the primary regulatory body for electricity generation and supply in Saint Lucia.
The finances from these grants will also be used to undertake environmental and social evaluations, as well as effective community engagements, in line with international standards. This latter undertaking is critical, given the proximity of the areas proposed for geothermal exploration to the Piton Management Area (PMA), which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Government of Saint Lucia has already taken steps towards securing funding support for the second, high-risk phase of Exploratory Drilling and is working closely with the World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and other international funding sources like the Climate Investment Fund. This second phase is estimated to cost between US$20 and US$30 million dollars.
Some people, honestly. They see those they oppose striding along irrespective of the daily opposition, and their little minds cannot tell them it is better to shut up and let the blessed be blessed.
Didn’t St.Lucia already have big plans for geo from way back in the 70’s with 3 or 4 big noisy holes drilled into the ground in Soufriere? Whatever happened there? I recall visiting the site in ’79 and had to wear ear phones to protect from the noise. Anyone knows the answer?
Financial Issues if my memory serves me right!
st.lucia generally has better governance, they’re more focused than their dominican counterparts, given the larger population and economy…investors would run towards them whereas this isn’t the case in dominica….we only have one investor interested in the geothermal and who knows….petro caribe may be the one to invest in geothermal in dca
Well here’s some food for thought for those political termites that keep eating away at every plan and program that is concieved in this country!
It’s amazing that St. Lucia has jumped on the recent geothermal bandwagon of which Dominica has had a 10 year head start, yet it appears that they on steam to surpass Dominica’s progress. They are making greater strides in a shorter space of time. From all information their foray into this energy avenue is better planned and organized, as such the results are proving itself. Dominica always starts things and then St Lucia usually comes from the rear and beats them, what a shame. This is inevitable in an era of over politicization and nepotism where local political chieftains just want claim praise without investing much thought energy in a process.
How do you read? The project is not even sited as yet.
A bandwagon ? like really? Honestly you do not know what you may speak of. This person doesn’t understand the article.
The rantings of another vexer
What happened to DA’s project?
Any questions Athie and co?
he is going on hunger strike in st lucia.