Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that his government will lease a 5.2-megawatt generator to the island’s sole electricity company, Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC) to assist with the ongoing issue of load-shedding, due to a shortfall in generation capacity. He made the announcement while addressing members of the press at a briefing on Tuesday.
According to him, this generator is part of the international airport project that will be supplied upon completion of construction of the airport to serve as backup generation capacity at the international airport. The government has advanced the purchase of that generator in order to lease it to DOMLEC, one of the measures used to ensure that Dominica returns to full generation capacity.
“The government has been advised by both DOMLEC and the Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC) that the purchase of additional generators by DOMLEC to address the generation shortfall would result in an increase in price to consumers,” he said. “To protect the Dominican consumer from this projected price hike, the Government of Dominica has commenced the procurement of a new 5.2MW medium speed generator for lease to DOMLEC on favorable terms. This unit is projected to remain in service for two (2) years in the first instance.”
He said the projected date for commissioning, as advised by DOMLEC, is April 2024.
Furthermore, Skerrit pointed out that a team of five Venezuelan Hydro technicians is expected to commence work at the hydro plant in early October.
“Other technical assistance is also expected. Based on the temporary measures mentioned earlier, DOMLEC has assured us of improvement in the widespread load shedding currently being experienced across the island by mid-October 2023,” he noted. “So as of now, we are giving ourselves under two weeks to break the back of this challenge and to return adequate service to most communities, on a regular basis.”
Moreover, he mentioned that the government, which has been working collaboratively with DOMLEC, has also identified short to medium-term measures to address the issues now being experienced.
“DOMLEC will rent a 3MW generating system from Aggreko, a US-based generator rental firm. When this Unit is commissioned on November 15, 2023, full capacity is expected to be restored and load shedding is projected to be eliminated,” Skerrit revealed.
He indicated that his government is doing all it can, while still minimizing the impact of increasing expenditures on the consumer.
“Let’s sum it all up by saying that the government has found a way to help support generation and access to the supply of electricity that is needed to match current demand, without being forced, by law, to pass such increases on to you, the consumer, who we know cannot bear such at this time,” Skerrit stated.
Why??????????????????
This is the result of the Dominica version of resilience. Government bought majority shares(52%) from the Canadians and promised the people of Dominica that we will be in a better place because of their brilliant decision. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The “I’m-the-people” leader promised that he’d be out of the $64,000.00 per month rent/burden on the taxpayers of Dominica yet he’s still living a life of luxury on the backs of the citizens. When will we realize that this guy is not to be trusted.
Exactly, actions speak louder than words. Skerrits word is a worthless commodity. He is a notorious and shameless liar.
Listen to him: the government will lease a generator to DOMLEC on favourable terms. May I be so bold and ask the CM what these favourable terms are? Give me a dollar figure. Are the terms favourable enough to keep electricity prices where they are right now? While you are at it, can you confirm that the geothermal will come on line next year as previously announced? Boy Skerrit, you just keep on digging one hole after the other, there is hardly any space for you to go. You were warned! The house of cards had to collapse at some stage.
So you’re telling me that DOMLEC doesn’t have the financial resources or subject matter know-how to purchase and fit it’s own power Generator? Why is the government leading the charge on this!?
To all the Dominicans clapping at this foolishness, please note that you all are supporting the proliferation of a socialist nationalism agenda by the RS-DLP regime.
The IRC is facilitating this nonsense by not granting DOMLEC’s license to increase its generation capacity on its own, by use of fossil fuels. Is this new Gov’t Generator gonna be run on water? if Gov’t and the IRC had not played with DOMLEC’s plans, DA would’ve never been in this predicament which so aptly allows the government to look like such a HERO.
This unit is projected to remain in service for two (2) years in the first instance.”
He said the projected date for commissioning, as advised by DOMLEC, is April 2024.
This is an example of Dominicans pacification.
geothermal is scheduled for 2025 according to words from the mouth of that clown. he mentioned two years in first instance which tells uncertainty. if the leased generator is to be commissioned in April 2024 and geothermal comes on in 2025 why not say until geothermal gets online. instead it is going to run until 2026 with possibilities of longer. nowhere above shows a consistent plan in words of the fool to show link to a direction. why do we sit and take this nonsense year in and year out. let me tell you folks geothermal is not going to be as sold to you guys, the country is not generating revenues from taxes, industry or productivity to maintain all these infrastructure. we will either be in deep debt or owned by a foreign entity. this guy needs to be removed by…
WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS MONEY?
WASHINGTON, March 19, 2019— The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved US$27 million project to support the construction of a 7 MW small geothermal power plant in the Commonwealth of Dominica, which aims to increase the share of renewables, diversify the country’s energy matrix, and identify a clear road map for private sector investment in geothermal development.
The money ended up in the usual places: number accounts in Switzerland or Dubai. Meanwhile the citizens of Dominica pay hell. No electricity a frequent lack of water, no jobs, no prospects, NO FUTURE. All you just keep on holding on to Dimples.
“Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that his government will lease a 5.2-megawatt generator to the island’s sole electricity company.”
So, something seems to be very wrong with the above!
My concern is that the government of Dominica is not into the the business of manufacturing electricity generators, nor turbines: The government of Dominica has not owned and operated any power generating plant of electricity for more than thirty years! So my concern is where did Roosevelt Skerrit obtained this 5.2-megawatt generator to lease to DOMLEC a company who are in the business of operating and distributing eclectically power in the country?
If a company in the business of producing electric power to an island cannot afford to replaced its old generators when needed, what’s the point to be in that business?
Everyone should be asking; is the government of Dominica a provider to DOMLEC?
And why, since they are a private entity!
So that’s the reason youall sold it? smh
Roosevelt posited that his wife has been verbally attacked. His wife has been confronted with the truth.
Can Roosevelt dispute these stubborn facts? She has no formal certificates of higher learning. She is not qualified to be a parliamentarian. Her presentations in the House are a national embarrassment. She cannot represent the country in any high level international forum. The only certificate she has earned is a birth certificate.
Melissa gives her critics fodder by her asinine utterances. The does not belong in a parliament but should resign herself to her former Don & Diva clamour store.
She deserves everything she gets and more! These constant stupid remarks of hers and cheap lies are bound to ask for severe criticism. She should have stayed and watch the cash register of her wacky shop. She is more suited to that.
She earned another certificate, when she married some Hispanic guy to get a green card.
The marriage is a matter of public recorded in a court house in America, so I can’t be sued!
We don’t know if she divorce her first husband prior to marrying Roosevelt; if she divorce him that is also a matter of public records in America, and we can find it if we so desire!
All I would have to do is retain a private investigator to dig and get it!
In any event Melisa may have three certificate: which comprise two marriage certificate, one divorce certificate, and oh, perhaps a certificate from porn school!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
So, watch out for the young girls next carnival to see the half naked girls she taught to walk and gyrate on stage!
What oxygen is to living beings, electricity is to the proper functioning of a society. Our healthcare system, electricity plant, education sector should be given top priority because of their importance to our development and progress as a country.
These are unfortunately given low priority by the self-serving parasites(ruling regime) in comparison to general elections and the accumulation of wealth for themselves. The decrepit state of the economy, electricity generation, living standard, it’s conspicuous that the tyrannical despots and his apostles have a shallow concern for welfare of the masses.
Let us not forget that this retrogressive monocracy has a dubious record of demolition. They have allowed health centers, hospitals, bridges, feeder roads, public library, police stations, post office, court house, to decay or fall into a irreparable state of disrepair. Roosevelt and his rogues all of them MUST GO.
is this April fools day PM?
Most of what we treat as emergencies in Dominica do not qualify. They are avoidable incidents that should not catch any responsible government by surprise. Seems like we are in a permanent state of reactive governance rather than proactive governance. Proactive leaders make strategic plans whereas reactive leaders primarily respond to immediate and pressing issues that arise without sufficient long-term planning and then they bask in the limelight and take full credit when they solve those avoidable issues. They make it about Me! Me! Me! Those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Go figure!
In Dominica, it is constant reaction to events that negatively affect the population.
A bridge was washed out on the south coast (Delices area) since, I believe 2015 with the passage of TS Erica. To this day the place has been cut off from the neighbouring villages. I watched Skerrit make a short speech to the people and he admonished someone who asked why it has taken the government so long to address the issue. As he always does, he promised it will be looked after soon. The people of the area are still waiting. This is a nothing bridge to build. Even a Bailey bridge would suffice in the interim.
This guy just pretends to care about people, but he only cares about himself.
But to top it all, the people affected most by his poor governance are the once shouting loudest, we love our PM. Very soon, all these people will experience a very rude awakening.
Marie, one of the lessons taught in psychology, and every psychiatrists well tell you that; the abused no matter what always defend their abuser.
Here is an example, most women always believe if they do something to appease an abusive husband, lover, boyfriend, though they are getting beaten to death.
They defends their nightmare to the day he kills them; they the abuse take the blame, it is always their fault and not the fault of the man who uses and abuse them.
And that is the situation in Dominica. Ours is the poorest, the most depraved, people are suffering, while Roosevelt fly’s high in on his wealth; so the people complain but when the time comes to vote him out they remember how much they love him more than themselves, and they blame themselves for the poverty in which they exists, and not his lack of knowledge of how to effectively run the country.
They take the blame for the lack of employment in the country; it is never Roosevelt fault: so they love their PM!
This man over-promises and under delivers every time. Over the twenty years of his tenure in offjce, he has made more bogus promises than sand on the seashore.
Here is just a few of his sweet lies during his stewardship.
*geothermal power and the international airport completion according to the notorious LIAR, should have been realised since seven plus years ago.
*an equally prominent or better replacement for RUSM
*the whereabouts of the missing billions of CBI money
*moving out of the taxed funded palace that has cost the country $3 000 000+ and counting
*making Roseau the envy of the Caribbean
*best and most modern cruise facility in the region
Why should anyone trust this serial LIAR? He has proven him
himself to be nothing but an egotistical, unscrupulous, mendacious, demonic serpent.
Very well said…that man is a demon in disguise and needs to go like yesterday
This is my honest conviction. Dominicans will continue to live outside the circumference of contentment until the Merchant of Lies and Corruption is deposed from the Office of the Prime Minister.
There is an imminent scathing report on his secretive exploits of the people’s j finances and his corrupt dealings. This might just be what it takes to dislodge him from office. His political theatrics and manipulation of our democracy hopefully will be over soon.
Keep us updated, Ibo.
Someone rightfully projected that the international airport project will need a backup generator, BUT no one has had the vision to realize that DOMLEC which is responsible for supplying electricity to the entire island is more in need of a backup generator than even the international airport? DOMLEC is in need of a whole replacement infrastructure including generators!
What happened to building back better? It does not apply to DOMLEC, DOWASCO, roads, bridges, drainage and other critical infrastructure? Only MNC houses building back better?
Didn’t the PM and CREAD promised all electrical wires would run underground after hurricane Maria? What happened to that?
We all had to suffer like this the past two months for the AM PM to make a decision. DOMLEC is owned by the Government of Dominica. At the end of the day the Government of Dominica is responsible for all DOMLEC’s strategic and investments decision. The buck stops with AM PM Skerrit who run tings in his Sukie-Burn-Brain…
Lol
..keep on dreaming that all his pawol-en-nee-til will come to fruition. 
On a more serious note, if you all think things bad at DUMBLEC just wait until sheet hit the fan at DOWASCO. When last did you see a day go by without DOWASCO apologizing on DBS for water issues in a community. It has become so prevalent that we don’t even notice or hear when its being played. Folks DOWASCO is in serious cow-poop too but alas, c’est lavie en Dominique. No one dares speak because the SOS is a very vengeful person with a long memory. Hopefully they will learnt from DUMBLEC mistakes and make the necessary changes ahead of schedule.
“Someone rightfully projected that the international airport project will need a backup generator, BUT no one has had the vision to realize that DOMLEC which is responsible for supplying electricity to the entire island is more in need of a backup generator than even the international airport?”
You must have missed a whole chunk of the conversation on this topic. Inform yourself.
hmmmm dat didn’t read right to me at all.
So the gov owns the company and now wants to lease a generator to DOMLEC
You all do kno that that lease money just gonna disappear
So all of a sudden the gov have money to buy a generator in a hurry for DOMLEC.
Years ago they ask for permission to import more and ur commission tell them no . That’s why the previous owner sell the company as fast as they could .
Your government had destroyed the country
So both your government and that company conspired against this government then? 🙄
“So the gov owns the company and now wants to lease a generator to DOMLEC.” Boy, you really enjoy displaying the limitations of your intelligence that much, man?
This dude is unbelievable.
This mess we’re in occurs under his watch. Yet he tries to portray himself as the savior.
As my latino friends would say…tiene muchos cojones.
“Yet he tries to portray himself as the savior.” This is just a typical example of reactive leadership.
Again I ask, why did it have to come to that before the government/Domlec acted to prevent the misery they are putting people through? We are not talking about a hurricane destroying the electric grid.
The IRC said they have been engaging the services of a French consultant who evaluates future demand of electricity. Why didn’t they predict the shortfall in generation?
This country is a mess and as usual the government is just reacting to events as they happen.
In typical Skerrit fashion, he creates a crisis and then goes on the airwaves to present himself as the knight in shining armor.
Well said…and his opening statement is always let’s not atlk about how this happened. So ignore it, don’t take responsibility, no accountability. And tell me how are we supposed to learn. Dominicans are too nice of a people to keep listening to this garbage from this man mouth.
Well, if you insist, the accountability that you seek begins with the sale of DOMLEC by the UWPwee to foreigners. That decision paved the way for profits from the company to be deposited in bank accounts of persons beyond our shores who have little or no commitment to Dominica instead of the necessary reinvestment into the company. Do you still want to speak of “accountability?”
You keep using your drumsticks on that drum
Clearly this ought to have been known before the decision was made to purchase the shares of DOMLEC. You own the company now; make the necessary decisions and move on. What is the point of wanting to own things that one cannot maintain? Just to brag that you own it?
Stop blaming UWP for you all’s incompetence. As if right now all you making them look like saints.
In 2022, in compliance with the National Energy Policy, the IRC awarded DOMLEC the project to develop a 5 MW Solar Plant at Tarrou. (taken from the IRC Statement of September 18, 2023).
You need ask the Board of Directors of DOMLEC what is the position on this. Why have they not stared a project that they would have applied for.
And by the way, the purchase of those shares, the money was given to foreigners
The board of directors of Domlec is handpicked by Skerrit. The only qualification: blind allegiance to Skerrit. In exchange they get remuneration for doing nothing. Corruption is everywhere in DA. Eventually it will kill the country.
Putin….Let’s say you were given the thumbs up on your comment.
Then why ain’t you overly concerned with the Billions from our passport CBI program that are in accounts outside of Dominica by foreign Agents….
Those passport profits way supersede Domlec’s….. I hope this provides an opportunity for you to speak.
April of 2024? wait a minute, in’t that when the geothermal guy said the plant will be complete?
Oh, Vincy the geo guy is busy between rolling blackouts, he was taken at his word. 👋