Energy Minister, Ian Douglas, has said both energy security and energy independence are key challenges to Dominica as well as other OECS countries.
He also said Dominica has one of the highest electricity rates in the region.
Douglas, who was addressing the 11th meeting of the Regional Energy Committee for the ECERA Project and Strategy Outreach held at the Fort Young Hotel on Wednesday said, said the country has taken these challenges head-on and continues to explore options in achieving a high degree of energy security and independence.
“So energy security and energy independence therefore are key challenges in Dominica, as with I suspect our other OECS brothers and sisters,” he stated. “We in Dominica have taken these challenges head-on and we continue to explore our options and are committed to achieving a high degree of energy security and energy independence, as you all well know with our geothermal development program.”
According to Douglas, geothermal energy has the ability to supply reliable base load power at a cost lower than the current fossil fuel generation and with a negligible, ecological footprint.
“And so the government of Dominica has therefore pursued the harnessing of the geothermal resources on the island for the benefit of all Dominicans and to contribute in some small way to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” he noted.
Meantime Douglas revealed that in 2014 the cost of fuel import used in electricity generation in Dominica was about EC$45-million and about $38-million, of that amount, was recovered from the consumer as the fuel surcharge.
“Corresponding figures for 2013 were about $44-million and $37-million respectively, the results and that in fact is about one of the highest electricity rates in the region,” he added.
The meeting ends on Thursday.
Tampa .s comment requires serious consideration ..China is leader in solar power yet builds a STATE HOUSE ..without using solar panels in this age of alternative energy ..leaving the christmas tree lights burden of the state house on taxpayers
why?
I would like to see a more comprehensive plan for sustainable energy development to replace gas. It should include a project for conversion to electricity, even to power vehicles. We have the means for producing clean energy by hydro, solar, wind and geo. We can use the most economic method, or more than one method to neutralize emergencies. This would be in keeping with policies for conservation and environmental protection of the Nature Island.
We can be energy independent, reduce the cost of electricity to customers and save over $M50.00 annually. If we compare this amount to our present budget that is a saving of $M500.00 over a ten year period. Bundled with Agriculture and Tourism would put us on the right step to sustainable development
Emile what nonsense, it nonsense because I doubt anybody can understand your riddle, I suspect that Rompel Stilskin taught you that!
I do not understand you but if you are comparing gas price in America to what you have in Dominica, you do not know what you are talking about, because gasoline prices are higher in California than any other place within the continental United States. Even at that I pay $4.74 for a gallon Supper high 92 octane about thirty minuets ago. How much do you pay for a gallon of regular (72) octane in Dominica?
There are no comparisons Emil, no matter how you all try to be on the same level as America. Keep the dream, but it will not happen for another two thousand years!
Ian Douglas, please put a sock in it. You have become irrelevant.
The crude oil price for a barrel stands at US$51.00 yet we are still paying EC$13.30 for a gallon of gasoline. Just a Dollar less what we had to pay a year ago when a barrel of crude traded at US110.00. Now how do you explain that, Mr. Energie Minister. The phrase ‘racketeering’ springs to mind, doesn’t it.
Gas price is at US45.00. ( repeat US)
That is the price per barrel for WTI. Brent at the time of my quote traded at USD 51.00. Since Dominica does not receive gasoline from the U.S. I has to assume that they have to pay a higher world market price, i. e. the benchmark price for Brent.
Remember that fuel suppliers have a guaranteed profit margin built into the price of every gallon of gasoline sold on the island, come rain or shine.
So Mr. Douglas is telling us the his government has put all its eggs in one basket. How can you say that your government has taken the energy challenge head on and you make no mention of, hydro, solar and wind energy. Other islands are looking at all possibilities except Dominica.
Mr. Douglas you have a state house consuming massive amounts of energy at tax payers expense and there is not one solar panel on the building. Is this an indication of how your government is taking on the challenge head on?
Yes, why have all these lights to be burning all night for one man only? That gives the wrong message.
Geothermal is cheap renewable energy. It is a positive step to achieve energy efficiency and a modern economy.
Another pile of garbage talk; you had better say the cost of an unit of electricity is higher in Dominica than the rest of the entire Caribbean. It’s a shame, since we have the potential to produce hydroelectricity, which is the cheapest form of electric power production, and distribution; prior to the advent of Solar Energy.
We have not heard of any island in the OECS where the security, and energy independence are threatened! “Here we go again all of us are in the same boat paddling backwards up a raging overflowing river without oars!”
That is the impression you are creating Ian; but you had better try to stimulate the creation of industries on the island, rather than include a few millions of dollars in the budget to give handouts to your political clones; handouts are not employment!
stop the talk, and implement de ting man.
do we have to wait another 12 years?
Dominica should go geothermal.
Ok Mr Douglas
1. Then why is the Geothermal unit now reduced to a one man staff under your tenure?
2. Why is it that the natural gas potential on Bird island is not being pursued?
3. Why does it seems that in 2006 PM Skerrit, without putting it to parliament, traded Bird island and replaced it with Petro caribe initiative and a sum of cash which was insufficient to pay for one year’s oil import. (Jimmit Petro Caribe started in 2006!)
4. Why is it that under the Petro caribe initiative Dominica moved from paying for oil upfront with cash to taking 40% or so as a loan for our children to pay tomorrow for the energy we use today?
Mr Douglas, Is that independence or a move to energy colonization? are you Michael’s son or Rossie Douglas’ nephew?
I’m waiting for you to tell us how well Dominica is doing relative to its neighbors within the OECS region regarding energy cost. You utter so many lies, that you sometimes forget the statements that you make. The tales that you tell about the delay in completing the 50 room guest house in Portsmouth is astounding. You have a bright future as a “Brilliant Fiction Writer.” Before we know it, the “Arab Spring” will be the reason why the geothermal plant will not be operational.
Thanks for reiterating a known fact “Captain Obvious. “I have no confidence in the geothermal project as your government continues to display a level of ineptitude never seen before. You can’t complete a 50 room guest house in Portsmouth, but we must believe with all our might, that the geothermal plant will come to fruition. It’s more empty talk and the dangling of “Carrots” to keep the masses ignorant, while various bobol and passport enrichment schemes for the boys continue in earnest.