Editor’s note: This column provides the opportunity for political parties on the island to provide comprehensive, unaltered expression of their positions on matters of national interest. All three major parties (DLP, UWP, DFP) have been invited to participate.
UWP Alternative: Small Pilot plant 2 -5MW Geo & Expansion of Hydro.
“When it comes to the development of Dominica’s energy and natural resources The United Workers Party, (UWP) puts the overall sustainable development of the Country and the people of Dominica first. UWP is fully committed to the development of cheaper alternative energy to meet 100% of Dominica’s energy needs. However, UWP will always do the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), in order to consider and select the best options. By this we mean, the options which bring the most economic, environmental and social benefits to the Country and the people of Dominica, and has the least economic, social and environmental costs. This is why we repeat our call to Government, In light of todays new technology, to undertake an independent Cost Benefit Analysis, (CBA) to determine and compare the overall benefits to the people of Dominica, of the development of both the geothermal and the Hydro resources. From a National perspective, Govt has not done an independent CBA of its present “grand geothermal export Scheme.”
The geothermal plant in Guadeloupe, is substantially owned and operated by Electricite de France (EDF). It is only after doing its own Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), did (EDF) arrive at the its recently announced decision not to invest further in the present Geothermal Dev Project in Dominica, due to low profitability. Given that Martinique and Guadeloupe have over five (5) times the Geo potential of Dominica, that their potential far exceeds their own electricity demand, and that under the newly signed European Partnership Agreement ( EPA) Dominica’ Market is just as open to the French as theirs to Dominica, an independent CBA must also justify (a) why is Guadeloupe not producing for themselves and (b) If they decide to produce for themselves, since the Dominica plant and the Cable will be owned by the French anyway, is it logical to expect EDF to operate both a Dominica plant and a larger Guadeloupe plant, or to close the smaller Dominica plant. It seems clear that the present approach by Government is reckless and too politically driven.
UWP calls on Govt to thoroughly review the present “grand geothermal export scheme”, which calls for: 15 to 20 sq Km of land, and 40-45 production and reinjection wells, including Aerial Tramway site, Laudat (Domlec) Balancing tank, Fresh and the fresh water lake, and to consider a more responsible step by step approach, probably starting with a 2 to 5 MW pilot plant. This would allow us to do the necessary scientific monitoring of geothermal development in Dominica over a 5 to 10 year period, and assess the impacts on the local communities. At the same time we should place more emphasis and similar investment in the development of our hydro resources not only for electricity, but also for water security revival of agriculture and food security; reforestation, soil restoration and combating erosion; protection of our health and wellness and dive tourism products, and improving Dominica’s resistance to climate change. According to the Minister responsible for Energy, Rayburn Blackmore, in his statement on behalf of Govt, the preliminary assessments of Dominica’s hydro potential was done 38 years ago , however he has failed to realize since 1975 very substantial progress has been made in hydropower micro plants, including the Archimedes screw technology.
Based on our analysis of the potential risks and benefits to be derived from the development of our geothermal and our hydro resources, UWP believes that Dominica’s best interest, both in the short term and the long term, would be best served by starting off with a small pilot geothermal plant of 2-5Mw, and the expansion of our Hydro resources by an additional 5- 10MW. In the interest of the Dominican people, UWP stands ready to work closely with Government, to realize this safer more realistic and more beneficial energy development alternative.”
Obserations:
1. A Party’s perspective is just that. It a person’s or groups’s point of view at the time itnisbeing given. It does not have to be true in part or in whole. It falls into thecategory of Theories and beliefs. Some peope may support it and some may not. In the scale of hindsight it could measure as true, false or even partly true. So to me, that does not say much. I will listen to your words, but measure them against your deeds.
2. “..both Guadeloupe and Martinique have over five (5) times the geothermal potential that Dominica sits on”. If you are measuring the potential of “both” Guadeloupe and Martinique together, perhaps you might make a point worth considering. However, there are cons to this because two geothermal plants would have to be established compared to the one for Dominica, so would it turn out to be as viable in the end?
3. “It is only after doing its own Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), did (EDF) arrive at the its recently announced decision not to invest further in the present Geothermal Dev Project in Dominica, due to low profitability.” Could this low profitablity be in fact that Dominica could cut into EDF’s profits? Destroying competition has been a ploy used by companies the world over.
4. Only the north end of Martinique and the South end of Guadeloupe is said to have geothermal capacities. But the whole length of Dominica sits on it. If Dominica has to explode, it will with or wihout man’s intervention. Why not tap its vital resources in the meantime and make the life we have easier?
5. Both Guadeloupe and Martinique have France as back up to bolster their national budget. Dominica has none of that. Must Dominica be constantly dependent on the vicissitudes of external affections for every pillar of its development? Or should it bite the bullet and be more proactive in developing its potential for its people’s sake and its long term viability.
6. Finally, when I consider how the above party was quick to push through laws that denied Dominicans full rights to their land (Remember we moved from land ownership of what is “above, over and under” it to now owning only the “topsoil” and what grows on it and the properties you have built on it).
This allows Government to give licence to anyone to mine or search for minerals that may be ‘under’ your land, and do whatever is necessary ‘over’ your land to carry out their project. Remember also that ‘minerals’ include stones.
They passed this broad sweeping act over the objections of most Dominicans in order to give Broken Hill Proprietary (BHP) of Australia the rights to scoup out the very heart of our little island in their search for copper.
It took a national movement including Hurricane’s calypso on the topic that says in part “pou yon mosso kapa yo vlay tiway che payi la” (for a piece of copper they want to remove the heart of the island),and representations made in Australia itself at the board meeting of BHP to get them to pull out from the shame they were creating, because as it turned out Dominicans had little to benefit but a lot to lose including their health. Though it would seem that a minute percentage would get stinking rich.
The interest of the people did not stop the UWP then. I fail to see how it will stop them in the future.
I applaud you for reminding us of the past however I fail to see how this history lesson helps. Your failure to address the current situation in the light of your knowledge shows a distinct lack of honesty.
dOLLAR A POUND
20 Million dolllars we sold domelec for
great work UWP cheeeeeeups
labour all the way
who allu fooling
fotoshop
maybe ur not considerin the detrimental effects this project may have when ur sayin “cheeeeeeeups” however do ur research and stop makin ur mind respond to everthing in red and blue plz and do not associate urself with propagandas…….. speak only when u know the facts and u are sure of it and can back it up ok dear. educate urself don’t make ppl fool u ok.
yes D N O continue blocking who you want from commenting on issues of importance to the nation but Dominican know who wanted to mine for copper in the rain forest.
Look who’s talking, is this the u w p that wanted to do cooper mining in Dominica rain forest? memua powl
now they know about cost benefit analysis environmental impact and the Dominican people come first, bravo, wolf in sheep clothing.
I find UWP grow up eh
Make believe to catch a vote….It remind me of when they said Farmers would get one dollar($1.00)for a pound of banana.
Whenever I read the news on DNO, I try hard not to make hay of the quality on the writing – when it comes to the mechanics of proper writing, for example. This time, though, when it is a member of Parliament and aspiring minister of government who is writing like this, I have to say, “We have to be better than that.”
This article is riddled with improper nouns being assigned prominence in the piece, for instance. The acronym UWP should be preceded by the definite article “the,” as another example. And the piece is incoherent and disjointed.
Sorry, but I still believe that for it to be academic and convincing, writing must be cohesive, must have a controlling idea (or thesis), supported by evidence, good sentence structure, and the elements of sound writing.
We should demand better from those who lead as well as our would-be leaders.
Did you take time to get the substance of the article? Criticism of the messenger will not diminish the message here.
It is simply that no adequate CBA has been done to compare the advantage of geothermal versus hydro to Dominica. Now go back and read the article and understabd its message,
Are you for real? You do not have a word to say to or about the ministers of government who are totally incapable of string two word together to make a proper sentence but you find the time to chastise mr Previst and critique his writing. Never mind that you attempt to hide your intellectual dishonesty behind the statement “from those who lead as well as our would be leaders” it is what it is, DISHONESTY!
Did you demand better from the minister who, during a discuss on national issues, found it fitting to ask individuals to go hide in their toilets or to put their hands between their legs? Did you demand better when Mr James was asked to go throw stones in the sea?
The fact that you cannot or rather chose not to find the central theme of this piece of writing says either of two things about you1) that despite you apparent academic achievements, you lack the ability to understand simple English 2) that you are a mischief maker intent on fooling the ordinary people of Dominica in order to further you selfish ambitions. Which ever it is though there is a time coming when the likes of you will be unmasked as the frauds that you are.
@ Truth Sicker, sorry that time left you in the classroom, move on, it’s the internet age we read fast and get the point and move on with life. there’s so much to read on the internet. Your technical writing also leaves lots to be desired with your use of so many comas, did you forget the other punctuation marks?.;-:
Sorry (nah, I am not) to burst your bubble. It is not all that you read in this Internet Age that matters. It is what you choose to read. More importantly, it is what I choose not to read.
If you’re happy with the quality of the piece, good for you. If after laboring through the piece, you are better informed, hooray for you. And, I daresay, Mr. Prevost too. To me, the article was difficult to read. For all the reasons I highlighted.
Internet Age notwithstanding, let Mr. Prevost submit that kind of writing to any reputable international magazine, newspaper, journal or institutions of worth and watch him sullied for it.
Oh no he wouldn’t, you say? He will get his minders to proof it before sending it out for publicity? Is that same standard of excellence too much for us Dominicans, who he wants to rule?
Notice, I did not say serve. And I am not sorry for use of the commas where they need to be. I am simply trying to observe the dictates for writing standard English.
What has the cohesiveness of writing this report has to do with the plans and programes of the United Workers Party. Typical of labor Party supporter’s reactions toward the truth.We see the same in their leadership, they have always had difficulties in accepting the achievements of United Workers Party in only approximately fifty fours months in office.
YES ALLU PICKING AND CHOOSING COMMENTS ON SUCH ARTICLES
DNO IS NOT A PARTISAN ORGANIZATION
AS LONG AS THE STATEMENT IS NOT DISRESPECTFUL OR DEFAMATORY OR UN TRUE ITS WISE TO POST THOSE COMMENTS THAT ARE NOT IN SUCH CATEGORIES.
I wrote a lengthy piece to this article and it was not published maybe a blue in DNO choose not to publish it…..I hope that someone else read it and publish.
ADMIN: We don’t know how many times we have to say comments in ALL CAPS are automatically deleted.
Skerrit had to threaten UWP with a snap election just for them to behave responsibly!! Imagine that.
On the other hand since UWP start to do research and copy all articles from online news sites and regurgitate for us they look like they lose their sting and things get quiet in d country. All of a sudden it doh have no more corruption again is candles that selling and is to see who that going church these days. lol
Some wise person said “let deeds not words show your true character.”
This article will read good for young people, those with short memories, and those black eyes that can see only blue.
However, I was alive during the 1995-2000 period. I voted to put that party in power and I saw the results of that. So I am sceptical. Very skeptical.
and you have been voting for Labor and what have you got to say. You want to talk about corruption, unemployment, failure in Agriculture, failure in a tourism, and injustice system, crime, 1.1 billion dollars in debt , increase import and deficit in the balance of trade. What would you like to talk about
The same is on record for the 1995-2000 period. In addition they managed to make enemies of the churches, the NGOs and the business community. Research and ponder.
This is the kind of input and discussion expected of an official opposition. I am of the view that this perspective seems to be a more “common sense” one compared to what currently obtains from the Government. My disappoint with the UWP is that it ONLY put this alternative view on the table after the LOCAL RESIDENTS voiced their concerns. Seems to me to be a situation where the “tail wags the dog”, or one in which “the follower is leading the leader”.
That said, though, “it is better late than never” as the older folks remind us.
if this is really uwp well boy it is the best shot they have fired in a very long time.
Rivers drying up and there is a need for afforestation, deforestation in Dominica.
And UWP is coming with that Ancient and highly unfeasible backward and un-modern idea.
This does not make any sense and is thoroughly misconceived. There is not one credible source quoted to substantiate any degree of sustainable potential in the above-stated iniative. We expect at least that an EIA study be conducted to deal with the viability of this pie in the waters ‘suggestion’.
We are not happy with t DEAD OPPOSITION and an ARROGANT GOVERNMENT and some ARMCHAIR WEAK INEFFECTIVE PARL REPS such as Roseau South in particular who is no longer wanted by his people.
Glad to read that both Guadeloupe and Martinique have over five (5) times the geothermal potential that Dominica sits on. They are all volcanic islands. I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to know that.
Then why would Electricite de France invest in our nature isle, when it would be less cost effective to expand on the current plants in their territories? Someone is blowing hot air eh.
Again, Dominica does not have a suitable location for a 150 megawatts geothermal energy plant. We need to explore the ways and means to safely utilize our geothermal energy, by having a couple 5-10megawatts generating plants on the islands.
Geothermal will be the best thing for Dominica’s economy if harnessed safely. Therefore, let’s take care of our own before thinking of our neighbors to the north and south.
I get their point, but why now? Why didn’t they brainstorm and put a clause that required Domlec to develope that which they value so highly, hydro. I am all for hydro, but geo has to take center stage. Cover has already bowed out of hydro, if you read between his latest statements.
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ayeeeeeee zor sot enh