Information Minister Ambrose George says the production of geothermal energy in Dominica would be one of the greatest achievements the country has ever seen.
Dominica says it intends to fully exploit the geothermal potential of the island so as to transform its economy and improve the lives of its citizens.
On April 06, 2011 Government officially signed the contact for the drilling of exploratory geothermal wells in the Roseau Valley.
George said however the project is posing a challenge.
“There is a maximum depth of 3,000 meters that we have to drill and there is a challenge in terms of the size of our road. The trucks on which the equipment is mounted on are fixed and you need a very wide area to turn so we need to widen the road and the bridges where the vehicles will pass with the equipment,” he said.
The project, financed jointly by the European Union and the French Global Environment Facility, commenced in November 2008 with a total project commitment of Euro 5.5 million ($21,280,117.84), plus counterpart funding from the Government of Dominica.
If the road is the challenge then widen the road because geothermal energy will reduce our dependence of oil and make life more meaningful for all Dominicans
Amby that is not a problem. 99% of the time raw materials are being explored, they are in areas with no roads. You know what they do? they cut roads and make them accessable, so the situation is no different than when mining on a mountain or cutting down some forest. It should be all part of the cost.
I have said it, and other people have posed the same question – will this really help our people as the ministers are saying? Again, check out the statistics people; Dominica is one of the countries in the world with the greatest percentage of Renewable source of electricity (hydro that is), and we pay among the highest price for electricity. What make us thing that geothermal energy will alleviate our plight? This whole energy source will eventually get in the hands of cooperations who will want a quick return on their investment and start trying to make their profits. In the end, we will be less dependent on oil but the price of electricity might not drop. I am for the ‘clean’ energy, but I don’t want Dominicans to be too excited about cheap rate because from past experience maybe this wont happen.
You all did not know that from beginning?
Give me a break Ambrosse… y’all just making promises to buy us, and when time come to deliver on those promises is another Anancy story.
YA I AGREE WITH YOU. AND THEY THINK WE ARE REAL DUMMINICANS
I would really like someone to explain how is this Geothermal venture going to benefit us. After all Petro caribe was suppose to take us to the next level before the big next level. So far all we’ve heard is that we could be selling power to our neighboring islands but we are yet to see how we can sell power to Martinique or Guadeloupe.
Assuming that the geothermal system is established how much reduction will we see in our electricity bill. How much jobs will be created ; how will the government benefit. We are yet to see a comprehensive plan for this geothermal venture. I stand to be corrected – if there is someone please provide a copy.
From my limited understanding of this geothermal undertaking it appears that in order to call this project viable we must be able to sell the power to a market other than Dominica’s. The only relief would be with the power generating company and the reduced dependence on fossil fuel. The question is how much of this reduction will be passed on to the consumers. It would nice to see a capital analysis of this project.
No offense confused, but dont you think that they have alreaady gone through your concerns already and are in theprocess of making decisions. Really now???
SS Thanks for your suggestion however I’d like to ask you whether or not you have seen any such data or have the authorities informed you of the project analysis. Are you absolutely confident that we will benifit from the project. I’m by no means discouraging the project .
I cant appologoze for not being a blind follower. After all one can only question the operation and planning process when at this stage of the development we are hearing that basic logistical planning activities were overlooked.
I suggest that D/cans should step out of the party politics and ask the rigth questions. With regards to your question I will answer by asking rehetorical question – ” Dont you think that the government had done a proper evaluation before deciding where the Morocoan Hotel should be located – MelleVille Hall or Portsmouth?”
SS these are the pertinent questions you must ask as a responsible Dominican. Doing so should not make you less of a laborite. Infact you should be regarded as a better citizen and laborite when you hold your government responsible.
As a responsible tax payer are you absolutely sure that our government is investing in a geothermal venture that maybe destined to loose money or one that will definitely bring prosperity?. Again I would like to see the economic analysis and I make no appologies for that.
Yes, you do have a right to be confused. At this the feasibility stage, there can be no firm assurances, much less a design that gives figures in terms of capital expenditures etc. Projections at this stage are based on the earlier pre-feasibilities. At this point we can only hope the project will bear fruit. I am pretty sure there are no advanced contracts signed that would guarantee sales to Domlec or any regional authorities. Of course the government never lays it out this way. Its not a pie in the sky project but its a more a hopeful project than one which will guarantee the end result. Do we know for example how much Domlec will be willing to pay for a unit of such energy produced? No we do not. Unless certain terms are incorporated into of Domlec’s new agreement, the company may have a choice NOT to buy any power. And what if this power is available at a cost higher than that the company can produce? Do you also think the company may not go on its own power expansion plans, not depending on power from geothermal sources? There are too many variables to be sure of anything, and as usual, Government feeds the sweet candy to the gullible public.
Pedro you will agree that the lack of growth and development of our beloved country is mainly due to ineffective management from the top of the government structure down to the bottom. Why go into an exploratory process when there is no strong empirical analysis that suggest that we can support the project and that this project will transform the foot print our Dominica’s economy. Do we have any kind of guarantee that our neighboring islands will purchase power from Dominica. If so have we done a sound analysis of what it takes to sell power to Martinique or Guadeloupe.
Why spend resources on a project that looks like a failure from the outset. One other negative factor is the size of our population- is worth going into such a venture just to support 60K people – approximately 20 thousand homes
An easier methodology would be wind turbine energy production ( I believe one person made the suggestion). I’m sure the EU would be amendable to such an idea as you may know that wind turbines are very prevalent in Europe. The wind turbine system is cost effective and maintenance friendly.
Do we measure development by the number of white elephant projects that we receive from donor countries or projects recommended by the EU. When I look at the fisheries complex now being built in Portsmouth the thought of it brings sadness. It feels sad to know that this fisheries project will not bring any economic benefit to the Portsmouth area and Dominica as a whole. In my humble opinion a yachting mariner would have served the region very well and bring instant economic growth. One may argue that the fisheries complex is a gift from the Japanese government however with good and savvy diplomacy we could have turned this gift into something worthwhile not just simply a gift that is going to seat in the garage gathering dust.
We need people who can make sound decisions for the forward movement of Dominica. While thermal energy sound attractive the attainment of thermal energy production may not be productive and if all indication show that the effort outweighs the benefits then the right thing is to move on to new ideas
Let me jump in here as I do know something about this project (not from Government sources). if the resource is proven the main buyer of the power will be the French west Indies. Dominica would in effect consume the remainder. The reason the Eu and the French are involved is because they- the French are prepared to invest in and purchase the power. Dominica is investing next to nothing in the project.
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Hmmmmm…
Let the French invest. Then do what Guyana did to ALCAN and ALCOA… sieze the assets and nationalize the company.
Mc Carthy please don’t interprete my skepticism as negativism. The French is willing to invest in the geothermal venture , invest in the power transmission infrastructure ( which by the way we have not heard anything about) and then they will have to purchase power from the very same facility that they invested in. I think we are missing something here. Please enlighten me.
Thanks for your contribution
I have always said that when possible and where possible we should widen and straighten our roads. After spending millions on road rehabilitation island wide the minister comes out and says that our roads too narrow and windy. I always said that the way the roads were being redone was not in keeping up with current requirements that alone for future road use. Let this be a lesson. Let us stop think today and yesterday but build for tomorrow.
That is called inefficient planning. Failure to plan is a plan to fail. Placing the cart before the horse. It is clear that the people who are in the position of planning really have no experience. The mobilization of drill rigs should be forefront in the planning process. An elementary school kid could have figured that out Mr Ambrose.
It is sad that the people who can really contribute to our national development must be willing to get on their knees to satisfy the corrupt politicians and become part of a mafia type movement. The Melleville Hall airport fiasco is another example of the inefficiencies of the government administration. In a serious system people would be fired , starting with the resignation or firing of ministers, permanent Secretaries , technical and financial advisors.
Geothermal what!?!?!..
..for 70.00 people?…. solar and wind are the best options…. according to “experts”. 
That shouldn’t be a problem….or challenge…..Check the same source of financing for the roads…..
This is called cause and effect. This is why countries develope. There is a dire need for this investment, so the government have no choice, but to improve the road facilities in those areas for those that will be ripping the reward.