Minister of Public Works Rayburn Blackmoore has reported that Dominica has been deemed the most advanced as far as geothermal energy is concerned at the Caribbean Renewable Energy Conference which recently concluded in Barbados.
The conference brought together a number of stakeholders and financiers from a host of international agencies and organizations and Dominica was one of the small island states where renewable energy projects being undertaken seemed the most viable.
Blackmoore said, “We were given the opportunity to give an update of our respective projects. Of course, Dominica seemed to be the most advanced where the prospect of geothermal energy is concerned. [The Government] believes that the greatest legacy we can leave for the people of Dominica is one of energy independence and geothermal offers a cleaner, cheaper and more reliable source of energy for us. We believe that once we get it right, that can be a new contributor to our Gross National Product.”
He said that the development of the access to site two of the geothermal exploration project is well underway and site one is almost ready for the tendering process, with drilling expected to begin soon.
“Earlier this year, we signed a contract with two Icelandic companies, one for the drilling component of the test wells and another for the actual testing. We’re hoping to see the commencement of the drilling of the test wells in December of this year and completion in April 2012. We have also entered into a contractual arrangement with the Geothermal Resource Group for the actual supervision of the drilling.”
The Government has also secured grant funding for the technical study of connecting the proposed plant in Dominica to the neighboring French Isles as another component of the project.
“The intention, in terms of our long term goal as far as this project is concerned, is to build a 120 mega-watt power plant with the potential of selling to the French departments of Martinique and Guadelope and that has to be done via sub-marine cables. We have secured grant funding from the European Investment Bank, to the tune of 0.5 million Euros, for the actual technical study for the interconnection,” he said.
yah….Domlec?
It would appear that you have been exposed my liege…hahahahah my work is done….the dominio effect is in play…no more LIES and DECEIT…Dominicans are thinking for themselves..LOL…. very comforting…
Another speech and no geothermal? Ok I can only tollerate one more speech on the subject after this one.
Bull
when will these stop lieing to people. Dominica leads where. the most u guys have done is try and put a few wholes in the ground and even that not to promising. leading the Caribbean my A**.
you go to this conferences and come back and lie to the people. the french are currently in the process of upgrading all federal building to use solar energy, the airport right there in st.Thomas uses 80% solar to run the airport and the government federal building was just upgraded to solar and u coming talking your crap about Dominica leading the Caribbean.
Blackmore again? Is this another FAT lie? How comes we ahead when a few months ago St.kitts was in advance stages of their geothermal energy. Almost ready to start devilvering energy to its citizens…Blackmore, really more black lies. When are we having night landing Blackmore? Why isn’t Redjet coming to D/ca blackmore? What about the roads Blackmore? Any Domincans working on those billions DOLLARS project so they can buy a bread? BLACKMORE u are a damn shame n disgrace to this country…stop the lying…!!
The article states,”Dominica leads Caribbean in renewable energy.” But not once, nowhere in the article statistics are shown nor info given regarding the initiatives of other Caribbean countries. Objective comparisons to justify the Title cannot be made due to the abscence of those stats. The article simply reports on, quotes excerpts from BlackMore’s speech made at the conference.
Cleaner, cheaper form of energy from Geothermal. Certainly. That is what the Environmentalists have been advocating for years and are being demonised.
But see the contradictions. Dominicans remember how quickly, that same Minister and his inefficient Govt. agreed to and established a fuel storage tank (non-renewable, fossil fuel) on the BANKS of the BELFAST RIVER and close to a growing Jimmit community. Ask that same Minister and his Govt. how much does the people of Dominica owe Venezuela since Petro Caribe was set up? MILLIONS? Since Petro Caribe in Dominica, are electricity rates lower? Are fuel price – gas, diesel cheaper?
Tell us How much money has been spent so far, for legal fees, preliminary works etc. etc. in relation to the Geothermal Project. Who was paid those millions for legal fees? Dominicans must be informed of those things.
Dominica needs to adopt and implement a comprehensive policy on protection, conservation of our prestine ENVIRONMENT and efficient exploitation of our natural resources to the benefit of all Dominicans. Not a Few.
You mean Dominica has the “potential” to lead the Caribbean in renewable energy…C’mon guys we are not actually leading in anything just yet…Get it right for once….It is going to cost a heck of a lot of money to get this thing going. We must have the right technical personnel, some solid planning and the right equipments as well…We are talking about running cables under the Caribbean Sea,from Dominica, to Guadeloupe and Martinique…
So let us all just calm down,and take it a step at a time a day at a time….I mean, I am very excited for my Country, but let’s be careful with the loose use of words, and almost irresponsible and somewhat misleading statements..remember we’ve made them before.Therefore let’s all exhale and take it easy….But keep hope alive…..
The prospects and potentials are promising,economic development,growth and jobs… But it’s a little ways down the road….That’s not an over night thing.It is a step in the right direction….Let us keep our fingers cross,and hope all goes well….And if it does, well, the future looks very bright.
But no matter what,it must be for the People of Dominica, and in the best interest of the People of Dominica…Nothing else,and no one else.
Quite a contrast from saying…”Dominica leads Caribbean in Renewable Energy”….
Let us not underestimate the power of words,and let us be a little more prudent in the way we use them.
And by the way, what is…0.5 Million Euros?…you mean half a million Euros? I know what you meant,but some people might take it and run with it,know what i mean?….And this is just for the actual technical study…..Indeed…Prudence fellas, prudence…..
Good luck….And…All the best to all.
UPTOWN REBEL!!!.
The politics is ahead of the technology – 12 MW power plant energy would be all consumed locally which would be a good thing. I think he wanted to say a 120 MW power plant – but with all due respect the footprint of a 120 MW would cover most of wotten waven which means the villagers would need to be relocated – Have the politicians considered this technical fact? They need to visit existing current geothermal powerplant to get a sense of the magnitude of what they are saying.
This will serve us good in the future. Keep up the goood work guys.
That they vex about.
Cannot wait to see this become a reality. St. Kitts also working on a geothermal plant and they want to export power all the way to Puerto Rico. Hopefully we can stay in the lead.
Mr. Minister! Will we be seeing a reduction in our electricty bills when this project will be completed? We were told that with Petro Caribe {Enegy For Integration }we would be beter off, but we ended paying more for gas at the pumps and electricity
good progress!!!
Wha? Leads? wha? Are you serious dude… Everyday Dominica leads in something…
We lead in renewable energy yet there is a fuel burning power generation plant in fond cole.. Leading in what really
Well they must do something, they are not in power for good looks.
you should not be handed a gold medal before you complete the race……Think
I like what I’m hearing. Thats positive talk. I’m interested to see what DOMLEC is going to do to improve there stakehold after completion.
This is big. Job not yet done but getting there. Keep up the good works
What exactly is the truth- so many times we heard that the geothermal system would be supplying the French island now we hearing that a study need to be conducted. My point is before we start running our mouths and trying to get people to climax prematurely the government people must have their act together. I just never will understand why the French would be willing to buy or invest in a geothermal energy production for Dominica when Guadeloupe or Martinique has the same capabilities.
I am not optimistic about this geothermal venture at all. I am not convinced that the people stand to benefit from this project. Has the government conducted a benefit cost analysis . How much money will we the people be saving. Will this be yet another foreign business unit benefiting while the people are still paying through their our behinds . I’m sorry but how can I be optimistic when the Skerrit and Reginald Austrie Jimmit venture has not saved us a penny. Somebody convince me show me how my bill will be reduced by a couple hundred bucks
The truth is what you read in the article the minister reported on the confrence that took place in Barbados.Stop being negative.
why is is that everytime one asks a question where the government is concerned they are being negative? and by way the government spoke of a company from iceland to do geothermal stuff too?
what is the latest with that company – i believe a contract was signed
at praise the lord somebody is thinking with their brains… i could not agree with you more. i myself like doubting thomas; i refuse to believe unless i see… i’ve been fooled too many times
While they talking we working.
18-3
Hahahahahahaha
Bravooooo
While they talking we working
oh spare me !!! 18 to 3 and all you haunted like moun ki dayzoelay!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and all you tormented so much!!!!!!!!!!