Dominica Electricity Services Ltd (DOMLEC) has announced that it supports the government’s plan for developing geothermal energy in Dominica.
Speaking at the launch of a two-day seminar on energy efficiency and renewable energy sensitization, the company general manager, Collin Cover said a lot of money is being spent on the island for fuel in order to generate electricity.
“We have spent $46-million on fuel and this is 25 percent more than it has cost us to run the rest of the company,” he said. “So we spend way more money on fuel alone. We make no profit from high fuel prices.”
Cover encouraged the use of non fossil fuel as sources of energy and added that methods requiring less energy to do the same tasks are one solution to the cost of energy.
“Our approach is to support the government on the geothermal plan as we are firm in our conviction that this offers the best long term solution for renewable energy in Dominica, not just to the persons who can afford to purchase their own solar units but this geothermal solution will give more affordable power to those persons who do not have the (money) to buy their own individual wind turbines,” he noted.
The general manager warned that energy should not be wasted even if it is cheap.
The seminar which is being hosted by the Dominica Agricultural Industrial and Development Bank (AIDB) and is geared at sensitizing participating Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME’s) to the Energy Auditing procedures necessary to determine the most efficient, cost effective and appropriate energy saving measures for a specific MSME.
Meantime, Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) Co-ordinator, Kenneth Harvey, said that after conducting a “walk through” with various MSMEs, a significant number of them are very keen and desperate to implement serious energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) initiatives within their establishments.
“Arising out of this workshop, we will present to the AID Bank summary reports of what we observed, our interactions with the various MSME representatives and the level of urgency these MSMEs indicated for initiating EE and RE initiatives,” he said.
Harvey noted further that a base line idea of what energy conservation needs of the MSME’s on the islands will also be presented to the AID bank.
The AID Bank will then host consultations with these MSME’s to determine their commitment and determination to the EE and RE initiatives and their potential and willingness to engage the financial resources that the AID Bank can bring to the fore.
“Once the AID Bank has given us that signal that a certain company is ready to go forward that immediately triggers our response to assemble the best and most available audit team to come into Dominica to begin the audits of that individual or group of companies,” Harvey pointed out.
What do you expect from Domlec. The company will have the monopoly for distribution because they have the infrastructure in place and we know that the middle man always makes the money. Domlec will be the middleman in a geothermal energy DA. To hell with the threat to life and property. Domlec has nothing to lose. They are not the ones investing the millions. they will certainly be the one to reap millions while we pray that there will not be no eruption in what we have been advised and all know to be is a very active volcanic region of DA
smart move domlec.I would support anything if given guarantees stated in your contract of 25 years. We, Dominicans are not stupid!!!???
Oxymoron: ‘DOMLEC supports geothermal development” …and High Electricity Rates?*!.
Have cake and eat it too. Just watch them fleece Dominicans.
Mr. Cover, if I could take DOMLEC and throw it in the ocean for 25 years there, I would.
DOMLEC is not interested in building a modern and efficient power plant or system in Dominica. They will milk the old CDC cow as much as they can without making major infrastructural investments. These foreign companies don’t seem interested in such investments…. To do so would erode any likelihood of a viable profit model for the next 100 years. To an extent I don’t blame them, afterall they’re in business to make a profit. But, I would blame all the governments since 1978, who have mismanaged the country and consistently have it ranked at the bottom of the Caribbean pile.
Dominica’s challenges need visionary, selfless and committed leaders. There is no reason why this country cannot be transformed and be the shining star of the Caribbean.
the government shall get no praise from me… the entire world is switching to the green initiative… and dominica being a nature island should have been pursuing more than where we are now… and on top of that IT IS THEIR JOB TO TAKE CARE OF THE COUNTRY… do you go around thanking the cleaners of your working establishment for cleaning the way you want to worship skerrit for doing HIS JOB?
the everyday politically based comments people put out here,does be pitifully senseless,listen people the rate that is being paid for electricity,that you all complain, is just ridiculous,if anyone of you all,got ties to the (US)virgin islands,or been to the virgin islands,ask how much is paid for electricity?some people gets bills that are in the range of $200 to $500 dollars, and that is not elisabeth face dollars,is uncle sam face,the leac which is an added fuel cost incentive,is much higher than the actual electricty bill they pay,so stop going on like is the administration, that has dominica in its present condition,its the world that gays control all over,and guest what,its the after effect of slavery,where we are held to a third world country status,that is why,the caribbean leaders are finally seeing enough is enough,and have decided to file a law suit for reparations,
they realize that we can not go on with eating the crumbs that fall from the massas table,like the rap goes,when i move you move,that is how they got us,so start supporting the fight,not the blame game and finger pointing,it has not work for generations,it sure ain’t gonna work now,this was a divide and control strategy,by the systermatic islands former owners,the economy of the entire world is held ransom,most of the things that skerrit did to help dominica,he did them,because he had to mind who you run to, when you go beg for help,europe and america,wanted to give him gay ships in return,(alba)wanted his support,in their on going struggle against capitalism,in this world present economy,which some of you all chose to ignore,skerrit was caught in between a rock and a very hard place,if you all think that anybody else,can or will do better,vote them out,i want to see that day,and here is some advice,whoever you all may elect,got to be gay,or no dice,it got to be vice.
since i was about 12years this power shortage thing has beens our friend in dominica , cant tell you when it will stop
When surrounded by war, one must eventually choose a side.
“We have spent $46-million on fuel and this is 25 percent more than it has cost us to run the rest of the company,” he said. “So we spend way more money on fuel alone. We make no profit from high fuel prices.” Allah Bondieur where is the cushion that papa Chavez sent us even while his people was sleeping on the ground.
The statement is a clear indication that Dominicans are not going to get a relief anytime. I believe that it was two weeks ago they said that the electricity rates are going to be reviewed. Well I am old enough and experience enough to know that the laws of gravity does not apply to consumer prices and rates. Besides Mr clover is disgustingly saying put your helmets on cause the ride is about to get bumpier and just hope that a geothermal venture will someday help. Well Mr Cover Petro Caribe was suppose to be the soft landing for DOMLEC and the poor people of Dominica but it seem like just a few cut the runway and took off to the Cayman islands to pad up their bank accounts.
That to shall past just like Kadaffi, Sadam, Mubarak etc. The knew owner majority owner of DOMLEC did not jump in to loose money and while the government and DOMLEC play Ring A Ring A Rosie with an impoverished people the government’s only concern is for the foul and corrupt politicians to be fool the people again, fly over like the crow minister peep peep and defecate on the people. But that to shall past.
Thumbs up to the DLP administration under the leadership of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt for undertaking this great initiative. Keep up the good work.
thank God to skerrit for allowing all these accusations of corruption to plague my dear labour party too
Dear DOMLEC,
What else can you say Sir? At this time, our people are sick and disgust with the pains and hardships you’ve been inflicting on the poor. As far as I’m concerned, you and your company ought to pack up and leave once geothermal becomes a reality in our country. But unfortunately the government has become part and parcel by imposing the VAT which makes the pains and hardships more unbearable. Thank God, there’s a silver light at the tunnel.
Sincerely,
Voice of the Sout City
Lougaoo Mem
if u dont make any profit on high fuel cost as u said, where do u make the millions u boost off at the end of the year?
Why doesn’t DUMLEC invest in wind turbines and solar energy to supplement their losses on rising fuel costs. The power generated by these green investments can be added to the supply on the existing grid while reducing fuel consumption and energy costs. The government should deregulate the energy industry in Dominica allowing new Green energy providers to use the same lines as the existing monopoly (DUMLEC) in order to create competition, reduce waste and remove that strangle hold from the necks of suffering Dominicans! enough is enough… we tired of being tired of being robbed… people afraid to turn on their lights, the Energy company has Dominicans living as if they’re in a big ghetto!! 25 year contract??!! Give them competition in their bottom!!
What do we expect sir? you guys just got the most corrupt administration in the Caribbean to grant you two 25 year license. The same administration who just a few months ago blame the previous administration for selling DOMLEC.
I really wish that Dominicans open up their eyes to see the high day robbery that is taking place. Dominicans you want to begin to trace where the Petro Caribe money is hanging out start with this . A certain lawyer is able to go to London and buy a house for a family member for cash even while he building one of his also for cash.
Where the Venezuelan money gone? Ask the ministers who are secretly or bold facely on the company boards where mucho denero is coming in to their offshore bank accounts facilitated by crooked people in banks right in Dominica.
By the time Dominicans wake up it may be too late. You understand why these crooks will do anything to stay in power.
Hans I feel sorry for you!!!!!!
The old cliche of a broken record playing over and over again with all its cracks.
