AFD to finance geothermal plant in Dominica – PM

GE DIGITAL CAMERATalks between the Agence Francaise Development (AFD) and a Dominican delegation is said to have gone well and according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the Agency is now prepared to fund a 15 megawatt geothermal power plant here.

Last week a delegation led by the prime minister went to France to  hold talks and “review the experience of AFD in financing geothermal and other renewable resource projects…”

“First of all the AFD has said to us very clearly that they are prepared to finance the construction of the 15 megawatts (geothermal) plant in Dominica,” Skerrit said during a press conference on Tuesday. “Of course subject to a formal request by the government of Dominica for the financing.”

He continued, “Now as to how much will be through the way of grants and loan is a matter for discussions and negotiations with the AFD… but they have indicated that they are prepared to finance the construction of the 15 megawatts plant in Dominica for Domestic consumption.”

He also said the French government is still interested in buying electricity from Dominica and also financing a bigger plant. “The other issue we got from the French government is that the French government is certainly keen on purchasing the energy from Dominica,” he said. “The French want to play a very critical role in the construction, the management and the financing of a bigger plant.  And that there are French companies who are in discussions with the French Government about their involvement in this bigger plant ,this 120 megawatt plant in Dominica’.

He also  said that they are willing to offer technical assistance Dominica as well.

The prime minister said discussions were also held on Electricite de France’s (EdF) decision to withdraw its participation in developing the geothermal sector on the island.

Skerrit noted that the French were “totally taken aback” by the EdF’s decision.

“And couple months ago EdF indicated that it is no longer interested in developing the plant in Dominica and that took every body by total surprise and everybody was shocked including the French Government,” he noted.

He said the citizens of Martinique and Guadeloupe “are looking forward to the geothermal energy” and “in fact they were taken by surprise by the decision of EdF.”

Government’s plans to develop the island’s geothermal energy sector have met stiff opposition from environmentalists and a severe blow was dealt recently by EdF’s announcement.

Skerrit has insisted that the project is for the greater good of the country. “We’ve invested in excess of $33-million at a time when access to resources is exceptionally difficult and limited but we will look at the greater good of the country,” he said on a radio program recently.

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65 Comments

  1. jah knows star
    June 26, 2013

    Some people does do like everything good in dominica. De country hard man shait. To much empty promises. We need fact and figures. Some of you supporting labour and u all hungry. The people must speak. A hungry man is an angry man. Those of u that saying labour labour labour. I got one question for u all. How many of the 100 promises in a 100 days has labour fullfilled? POSITIVE I want your answer

  2. mama mia
    June 26, 2013

    A drowning man will grab at a floating leaf.
    on the eve of election, trust me, behind lies are numerous deceptions.

  3. Country Man
    June 26, 2013

    This sort of geothermal development strategy is a pending disaster. From all angles it seems that the gov’t is bent on having the French develop a geothermal power plant in Dominica without tendering the project. This sort of sole source arrangement for the development of Dominica geothermal resource is a disaster waiting to happen. The Gov’t needs to follow the international standards and guidelines for Geothermal project development and prepare an RFP for this project and have qualified entities bid on this project. Then they should have an independent review process (by a qualified entity) of the bids/proposals and choose the best developer based on technology, financials, experience, environmental stewardship, etc. for the project – make the process competitive. At the end of the day we need to start looking out for what is in DAs best interest – not what is politically expedient. The French knowing that they have no competition can settle for mediocre standards, take short cuts, run into price overruns, and project delays and leave us with a unnecessarily huge bill to pay back (I am not saying that they will actually do that but the option is there). To me all of this is just common sense and I can’t see why the Gov’t is bent on this current strategy.

    • Anthony P. Ismael
      June 27, 2013

      You made some valid observations. However, there is some psychology behind the current strategy and behavior of the government.
      If you have been promising this project to your people and you have encountered several setbacks in getting the project of the ground; prudent tendering practices such as putting out: A Request for Proposal (RFP) flies out the window.
      What transpires is this: “The ends justifying the means.” Given that they will probably employ a “Single Source Approach” as you pointed out, we can only hope that local stakeholders will take up mantle and challenge the government to safe guard our natural habitat while executing this project.

  4. Yam babawoolais
    June 26, 2013

    In the midst of all this conflicting information, lies, deceptions I ask myself one question. Why did it take the PM and his lap dogs two months before they responded to the French withdrawal? One would think that within days the PM would have been in France wherever with his la dogs trying to resolve whatever issue. I thought it was a crisis situation wee.

    So how does ths thingy work. The PM and his mouche Kotwen told us that the French pulled out because of the economic crunch and within weeks of pulling out the French now wants to provide us with a 15 megawatt plant and even one to supply power to the French neighbors. Hmmm. The French must be printing money and laundering money Bondieur or is it that this PM and hs counter flies are so bent on lies that they Cyan remember te lies they told only yesterday. Seem like they are all suffering from the Tony

  5. Real Porssie
    June 26, 2013

    ” the agency is now prepared to fund a 15 megawatt plant” Wow negotiator and dictator magnifique wave his magic wand and immediately AFD is NOW prepared to fund the geothermal plant for Domestic consumption.. wOw. Is AFD NOW prepared to release the funds for the airport road? Just asking ?

    “off course subject to formal request by the government of Dominica” ebeh weh I thought that te French government was already involved in the funding of the geothermal project and if so wouldn’t the AFD be automatically the agency involved. just asking

    “NOW the French wants to play a critical role in the construction ,management and financing of a bigger plant” why NOW the French wants to take on the lead. why Now? I wonder if this is because of trustworthiness and credibility on our part. Just asking. Is it that the French was prepared to dump ths much capital into the hands of a corrupt , black listed regime and executed street lights and AC units in Martinique and Gwada to start jumping with joy? Really as kwais matere qui zor yeh.

    Last question Mr Government – I am confused. Why would the French have two separate interest , one for a 15 megawatt plant and the other in a large scale plant to supply our neighbors north and south of Dominica.

    The questinis expressed is not necessarily those of DNO but of a concerned citizen who feel obligated to ask our government to top playing the people.

    • octo
      June 26, 2013

      You ask your questions like you know the answers and i get the feeling that even when you get answers you will not accept them. Sorry, to me, your questions are filled with rhetoric.

    • Anthony Ismael
      June 26, 2013

      I have similar questions as well. It appears that AFD pulled out of the project initially, and then suddenly, the French Government decided to finance the project.
      Whatever happens, I just hope that it gets done. Dominica needs some time of sustainable industry to help generate much needed revenue for the country. The lack luster “Tourist Industry” cannot sustain the economic needs of the island.

      • Jay
        June 27, 2013

        Anthony, for your information the French government owns EDF.

  6. cest pa vwe
    June 26, 2013

    Mr PM where is it you that is always talking? I don’t believe anything you say! Why one of the french people did not say something? Please mr PM tell us the truth it would not hurt you to do so.

  7. Pondera
    June 26, 2013

    Well done Mr Skerrit. Leadership is about taking risk. We must explore our chances with what God has endowed us. May we have success at this effort.

  8. D/A Lady
    June 26, 2013

    Where is your best local electrical engineer on this consultation???? Oh I forgot he doesnt support Labour, so he wasnt invited. OH the unity in this place! All for each and each for all!

  9. Malatete
    June 26, 2013

    The headline is grossly misleading as it gives the impression that the AFD have agreed to finance the construction of the a 15 megawatt powerstation. The fact is that there is no agreement between our Govt. and the AFD. No contract was signed in Paris to this effect. The agency has merely indicated that it would be willing to consider such an arrangement as confirmed by the P.M. when he says that it would be subject to a formal request by the Govt. for such financing.
    Secondly I read with incredulity the claim that the French Govt. was shocked by EDF’s decision to withdraw from the geothermasl project in Doiminica. How could this be when that same French Govt. owns 84.5% of the shares in EDF? Were we perhaps naive and committed ourselves without having a firm contract in place with EDF?
    I am saying this because I have never heard of an alleged breach of contract or indeed a claim for compensation.
    The other question is what role is the local company West Indies Power (Dominic) Ltd. playing in all this? Did not Roosevelt Skerrit sign an agreement in 2008 giving them a licence to exploit geothermal resources in Dominica. To my knowledge that agreement is still in force and with said company holding 90% of the shares (the other 10% were gifted to the Govt. of Dominica). Why then should the taxpayer underwrite a loan, concessionasry or not, for future profits that would accrue to this company?

  10. Voice_Of_The_Poor
    June 26, 2013

    Skerro u have no shame look SXM First Caribbean Airport to Receive International Transport Award, up to now u cannot build an international airport time u step down.

  11. Checkhall
    June 26, 2013

    The same story all over again everytime an election is nearing, where these politicians go on a vacation on tax payers money and come back blowing smoke about an investor from Europe.
    My people please do not let this trick work on us this time around. Fool me once shame on you , but fool me twice shame on me.
    Wise-up Dominicans, and say no this Lame duck, no ideas and money grabbing politicians.

  12. Morihei Ueshiba
    June 26, 2013

    Well that is why u getting 15% Vat every month from hard working Dominicans , u must work for the people, now we need the arrest of the black touraeg fella and i might consider voting u again i need an honest and clean pm for DA. Morality is important in my christian home. :wink:

  13. Soon Come.
    June 26, 2013

    Diminicans are blessed with freedom of speech and with no respect for authority.
    It is time that we respect our PM that we all are blessed with.(TOO MUCH JEALOUSY AND INDESCRETION)
    GROW UP.
    We have been there done that and no other can compare.(HARD PITCH)Put that in your pipe and smpke it please or swallow it.
    Thanks.

    • Malgraysa
      June 26, 2013

      Respect has to be earned my friend. We may respect the Office but not necessarily the person occupying it.If you want to stand tall you must be prepared to catch a lot of wind, so it is.

  14. marion
    June 26, 2013

    when you labor people blow up the country…dont come to america.

    • lol
      June 26, 2013

      America, land of your birth????? SMFH

    • octo
      June 26, 2013

      When you get deported, doh come to Dominica!

  15. Nudibranch
    June 26, 2013

    So long as the donor AGENCIES CONTROL THE BUDGET THEN THE PLANT WILL BE BUILT. If the government is given money to pay for anything then it will disappear and this is another case of smoke and cowflop

  16. Truth be told
    June 26, 2013

    From what I read here the PM has found a lot of words to say that he returned with no money, no funding and no guarantee for the future of the project!

  17. greg
    June 26, 2013

    Even a elementsry school kid can poke holes in these lies.

  18. CIA on the watch
    June 26, 2013

    The truth of whatever you have told us about the French and the development of geothermal in Dominica will only be revealed when we see that actual work has begun, the silly season has just begun

  19. Frabo
    June 25, 2013

    So they think they could clean up Dominica with their “clean energy?” Look at the number of diesel burning vehicles now on the roads of Dominica!! Keep burning that heavy oil and see what the geothermal will do.

  20. Frabo
    June 25, 2013

    My boy Solomon said, ” There is a time and a season for everything under heaven.” A time to come, and a time to go.

  21. Me again
    June 25, 2013

    My take on this release? A total lack of commitment from the AFD. There is absolutely no assurance that negotiations WILL bear fruit. One can clearly see through this positive SPIN..

  22. Ears
    June 25, 2013

    Short Neck: “Boss, election cominig. What we gon tell them fools now?”

    The Boss: “Eh eh eh any idea?”

    Short Neck: “What about saying something on geotermal?”

    The Boss: “Goo goo good idea, Bu bu but you tink they will buy it thi thi this time”?

    Short Neck: “But they always do boss”

    The Boss: “Well le le lessss go fffrrrance and cup-out somting”

  23. Gwo Woche
    June 25, 2013

    SMH……PM I am asking myself, how long will you continue fooling us. It’s amazing how you craft your words.

    I am a Eugenia Charles era and you are just off……not ready at all. Your Government has been there from 2000, maybe you guys can bow abd allow another govt. to come in. We can do well with a change now.

  24. Observer
    June 25, 2013

    My goodness, if the French Government is still interested or they are interested in funding a 120 mega watt plant, why go to AFD for a 15 mega watt plant? I do not get it. Somehow Mr. P.M. I am just not convinced that your talks went well.
    You got to come clean and convince me Sir.

  25. B G
    June 25, 2013

    Well done Mr. PM, you are doing a good job. Stay focus, positive,optimistic,do not forget your vision to take Dominica to the next level.
    My fellow Dominicans think for a moment, 99 percent of the government’s promises have been fulfilled.
    Stop the negative energy,be positive and positive things will come our way.If the project succeeds we all succeed, it is ours,lets support it.
    Take a pen and paper and list our accomplishments. Let me just list a few: universal secondary education, successful structural adjustment programme (remember the austerity measures)-they worked, west coast highway, stadium,housing programme, new grammar school, fisheries complex and hotel in portsmouth, the list goes on and on.
    God Bless Dominica.

  26. Candominican
    June 25, 2013

    One word. Vague and unspecific.You have not said anything new, no time lines, no substance, no commitment, where is your preproposal, on whats basis you negotiated.

    I am appalled a nation can swallow such lies. Good luck on your fourth term in government sir. Woe on the inhabitant of the land

  27. Massacre
    June 25, 2013

    This is all Political Gimmick, These results were cooked up even before they left Da to go on the free ride to Europe.
    Election talk to get the people excited about what their gov’t is doing.
    De same things they did for China and now all chinese doing every little job in Da so Dominican please do not let DLP fool you again.

  28. Doc.love
    June 25, 2013

    DNO is reporting that at a Press Conference,Skerrit informed the press that the AFD is prepared to finance the geothermal power plant.When is the press doing to insist that Skerrit meets all the major press agencies in Dominica where he can be questioned.I read the news item by DNO about the Plant,but what are the questions that were aked by the press.The time has come when the press must refuse to report any major news comming out of the Government until such time that Skerrit allows himself to be questioned. Skerrit must stop hiding under the skirts of GIS and the animal show, transparency should be one of his major principles.

  29. Country Man
    June 25, 2013

    This sort of geothermal development strategy is a pending disaster. From all angles it seems that the gov’t is bent on having the French develop a geothermal power plant in Dominica without tendering the project. This sort of sole source arrangement for the development of Dominica geothermal resource is a disaster waiting to happen. The Gov’t needs to follow the international standards and guidelines for Geothermal project development and prepare an RFP for this project and have qualified entities bid on this project. Then they should have an independent review process (by a qualified entity) of the bids/proposals and choose the best developer based on technology, financials, experience, environmental stewardship, etc. for the project – make the process competitive. At the end of the day we need to start looking out for what is in DAs best interest – not what is politically expedient. The French knowing that they have no competition can settle for mediocre standards, take short cuts, run into price overruns, and project delays and leave us with a unnecessarily huge bill to pay back (I am not saying that they will actually do that but the option is there). To me all of this is just common sense and I can’t see why the Gov’t is bent on this current strategy.

  30. scotty
    June 25, 2013

    what folks shouting about…Labour has never had any ideas about governance…..

    dominica is just not a place where citizens think.

    labour came in in 2000 only speaking about corruption….

    this is just a top spinner spinning to the gutters. labour sucks to the CORE!

    • Ti-Ti
      June 26, 2013

      Labour sucks but what’s the alternative? Stop criticizing without offering a solution.

      • Malgraysa
        June 26, 2013

        Ti-Ti the alternative to sucking is blowing. You think that would be a solution?

    • POSITIVE
      June 26, 2013

      Just like you suck so go do some home-work before u talk.

  31. Mr. Nobody!
    June 25, 2013

    My goodness!! It appears that all that needs to happen for some Dominicans to be happy and jump in the streets is for Skeritt to come back home from a spree at their expense saying ‘Ah got money for you guys!!!! Ah got money!!’ No one asks ‘Boss, how much did you get? Is it a grant and what do we get in exchange? Is it a loan and if so, how much interest do we have to pay back and over what period??’ Pardner, they not even asking, ‘Ok, how many more foreigners are coming along with that money, to work here in Dominica while we struggle to survive without work??’ Wow…… They are jumping up and down saying ‘We love our PM…shut up those of you who do not like him!!’ without thinking of any consequences what so ever!!!!!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmm………..

    • Malgraysa
      June 26, 2013

      But read that report carefully. mr. Skerrit did not come home with any money or even a loan. Just a promise. I hope it will become reality but that is all we are looking at right now, hope and promise, just like a party manifesto.

    • .
      June 26, 2013

      READ
      “Now as to how much will be through the way of grants and loan is a matter for discussions and negotiations with the AFD… but they have indicated that they are prepared to finance the construction of the 15 megawatts plant in Dominica for Domestic consumption.”

  32. June 25, 2013

    You are not sitting on your…… Your trying. GOOd LUCK SIR.

  33. positive
    June 25, 2013

    very good PM. We need Clean energy.

    • Krunch Tyme
      June 26, 2013

      We need Clean government and a clean voters list TOO!

    • Malgraysa
      June 26, 2013

      We also need clean money and I don’t mean largen lavay!

  34. Shameless
    June 25, 2013

    Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah…..that is a whole lot of spin my friend. :mrgreen:

    “They are willing….. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: “: We knew that before you all went on the delegation and that is the only reason you Mr. PM went because they were “willing” all along but no commitment. Now we are hearing that it is for local consumption. What happen to all the hoopla about immediate export of geothermal to the french territories? Did that idea evaporate?

    Elections ail soon be here so go ahead and start the 50 Megawatt Plant as a means of propaganda. If EDF pulled out, AFD will be extremely cautious and will not trust you all with that money. They will build themselves just like the Chinese because all that money spent on “exploration” cannot be properly accounted for so far.

    Tell the people the truth sir and STOP fooling or trying to fool us. Just tell it like it is and we will accept it. After all, we are still beggars and understand that the rules are not always even across the board. If everytime you open your mouth be it reference China, MOU, Marriage, Fertilizer, Mano, Sico-Seco, Gardakhan, Land Transfer etc its all fabricated then you will go down in history as the most dishonest regional politician ever. My eyes are on you sir…

    Assertive, NOT Agressive! 8)

    • octo
      June 26, 2013

      Yes I! Basically, you are saying that the PM is lying. So, if you can say so, it means you know the truth but have failed to tell us.

      • Real Porssie
        June 26, 2013

        Read between the lines and remember what we told before. Behold the lies.

      • POSITIVE
        June 26, 2013

        Octo exactly so, they know all truth well come and tell us, open our eyes with the truth

    • POSITIVE
      June 26, 2013

      Shamless u are just pure jealous and a hater of our PM. No matter what he does good, u in the opposition hae to critize and say nothing good. But not matter what all you say life goes on and he is taking care of our country. In years to come when Dominica will me making big money from the geothermal, the same people the critizen will keep their mouths shut

      • Shameless
        June 26, 2013

        :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :-D :-D :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: U are POSITIVELY funny..lol.

        Assertive, NOT Agressive!

      • Nac Vibes
        June 26, 2013

        Dominica making big money from this projecct in years to come? don’t make me laugh.

        By the time the french done finance, build and manage any geothermal facility all the money will be finding it’s way back to Paris.

  35. Times Sq
    June 25, 2013

    This is just a comfort to make the corrupt regime in Dominica feel some sorta relief..

    But based on what is said…nothing will work, as They still have to have discussions which could take another 8 years again….

    It wont happen Dominica…after 13 years Labour Party only has to show massive corruption

    And making Dominica the (Poorest in the Eastern Caribbean)

    Simply the way forward for Dominica is to bring in New Furniture to the Office of Governance..

    These present furnitures are to be placed at the Rubbish Dump and the Land Field in Stockfarm area.

    • POSITIVE
      June 26, 2013

      Hater you are the one for the rubbish dump. No matter what you haters say we doh care and worry or listen to your nonsense talk(goes in one and come out the other)Labour is the New Furniture moving the country forward while you all stay back and thing of what u can put in the manifesto of the last election. haha
      Now you need to go listen to new on tv or radio when you talk about poorest country, you reall do not know what is going on in the whorld.

  36. WHO VEX VEX
    June 25, 2013

    Were them haters at???????????? :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  37. Hard Pitch
    June 25, 2013

    One thing Mr.Skerrit tries to pull a stunt lol lol

    The French were taken aback by EDF’s decision…

    Mr.Skerrit these are Professional folks not children Playing with toys..

    You are not Leadership material the french know that Fully….

    Someone needs to tell the Dominican Prime Minister That 1st World Countries have standards and Protocol…

    Dominicans don’t be fooled..this is a election catch, the economy of Dominica is “Dead and Dusted” after 13 years of labour corruption

    Even though the receive USD500Mil it will slide down the drain within 2 months under this Highly And Record Breaking Corrupted Regime with a name they call Labour.

    • POSITIVE
      June 26, 2013

      Please give me a brake not leadship material and he is PM for how many years now. Edo was and if say he just stay 4 years. you are the one playing with toys shame of yourself talking so. Do not tells us about do not be fooled go and worship the sun again.
      You haters those forget to fast,,

  38. No name no warrant
    June 25, 2013

    Hahahahahahah! Very funny!

  39. I DIE NU
    June 25, 2013

    Your turn now Lennox!What’s what do you have to say now?

  40. not me
    June 25, 2013

    Really Lets wait and see

  41. piti woche
    June 25, 2013

    PM, you never cease to amaze me. You are the man for the moment. May God continue to guide you for the sake of our nation.

    • Shameless
      June 25, 2013

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

      Assertive, NOT Agressive!

    • MET YO
      June 26, 2013

      a very unpopular leader at this moment. and it aint getting any better for him and his crew. RING DE BELL, TONEH!

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