
In 2025, the Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC) plans to conduct site assessments of several electricity generation initiatives as part of its responsibility to maintain a reliable and sufficient electricity supply. These initiatives aim to enhance generation capacity to address the growing national energy demand while simultaneously decreasing the dependence of Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (DOMLEC) on fossil fuels for power generation.
One significant project is the 4.8-Megawatt thermal leased generator at DOMLEC’s Fond Cole Plant, which is expected to be commissioned by the end of February 2025.

On January 16, 2025, a team from the IRC conducted its inaugural site visit to DOMLEC’s Fond Cole Plant to evaluate the progress of the installation of the leased 4.8-MW generator. DOMLEC’s General Manager, Dwayne Cenac, along with Generation Manager, Dave Stamp, guided the IRC team throughout the visit.
Justinn Kase, the Executive Director of the IRC, expressed his contentment with the current status of the project and assured that the IRC would provide recommendations based on their findings.
He emphasized, “We regulate the sector, [and] we must ensure DOMLEC has enough capacity; adheres to international safety standards [and] are ready to accommodate the new technology … as well as ensure the proper operations and maintenance of the traditional generator sets, which run on fossil fuel. We want DOMLEC to ensure that their operation and maintenance is on track and therefore to avoid any extended forced outages as we have seen in the past.”
In conjunction with this, a 6-Megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be installed near the existing thermal station in Fond Cole.
This system aims to improve the integration of the 10MW Roseau Valley geothermal generation plant into the national grid, while also ensuring system stability and reliability in the event of any diesel or hydro generation unit losses. Additionally, the battery system will feature black-start capabilities, supporting operations at the Fond Cole thermal power plant.
Furthering Dominica’s energy advancements, a 10-Megawatt Geothermal Power Plant project is planned for Laudat, intended to enhance the nation’s energy security, reduce electricity production costs, and significantly decrease the island’s carbon footprint. It is estimated that Dominica’s geothermal potential could provide electrical power capacity up to 50 times its current peak demand, which is approximately 18 MW.
Government is striving to achieve ‘carbon neutrality’ by 2030, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, aiming for a complete transition to domestic renewable energy sources.
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