Despite severe criticism from some quarters, of its geothermal project in the Roseau Valley, the government is looking to expand its geothermal development efforts to other parts of the Dominica.
Speaking at a ‘Chew on it’ Luncheon organized by the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) at the Fort Young Hotel on Tuesday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Ports, Lucien Blackmore, said ‘eyes are being set’ on the southern and northern sections of the island.
“In Dominica we still know we have the south ,the Soufriere source field, and of course we are looking at starting very soon after we get it right with Wotten Waven and to look into the northern parts of the country as well,” he stated.
Blackmoore noted that the government is looking at “the production facility picking up by 2015 and to start up we would want to start with the domestic plant (local supply) at 2015.”
“We are looking at 10 megawatts … within an additional year, say by 2016, an additional 5 megawatts,” he explained. “So by the end of 2016 we will have 15 megawatts of power coming from Geothermal on our local grid …. By 2018 we should have 20 megawatts available to the local grid.”
He insists that goethermal energy is a good way to strengthen regional integration.
“We have heard geothermal is not only a question of producing power for Dominica but also seeing it as a serious means of regional integration and we can think of no better way of starting as we say ‘charity begins at home’,” Blackmoore noted. “Normally our neighbors are an extension of our family and of course the department of Guadeloupe and Martinique has been intimately involved in the project process from inception,” he pointed out.
He said with the necessary arrangements in place, Dominica will ensure that by 2018, 40 megawatts of geothermal energy will be exported to Martinique and 50 megawatts to Guadeloupe by 2020.
Meantime, Project Officer in the ministry of energy and ports, Alexis George, said the project is a national priority and will seek to enhance competitiveness.
“The geothermal resource development is indeed a national priority it is a very big project and it is cutting across all sectors of the economy,” he stated. “We recognize that the geothermal resource is about bringing about cheaper, more affordable electricity to the community and the country of Dominica.”
Mr. Blackmore the best place for Geothermal is in the Morne Au Diable Crater ,once there You can instruct them to drill down then make a 90 degree turn towards Veille Casse and drill under the House of Skeritt!Let us see if He does not voice His opinion on that .
Not that I am a big supporter of Skeritt but it seems you rather pay from your nose to Domlec the exorbitant electricity rates they extort from poor Dominicans monthly, rather than find a way out. Not good at all!
Why does a foreign company own the power company in Dominica? The Power company in Dominica should be owned by Dominicans.
Yes I dem fellas have no conscience, they warn all u it can cause damage but u don’t care if your people die, i wish only layba ministers will feel the eruption when it start. Just unfair we have people making decisions for themselves and not the benefit of Dominica.
Can’t the likes of you just keep your ignorant traps shut for a while?? Please???????
“In Dominica we still know we have the south ,the Soufriere source field, and of course we are looking at starting very soon after we get it right with Wotten Waven ………….” Mr. Blackmore the only way we can get it right is if we live wotten waven reservoir alone. Based on the EIA report the wotten waven source is too shallow and thus the potential for a … Please sire refer to the EIA. “There is a high risk of hydrothermal eruptions in the areas of Wotten Waven, the River Blanc, Valley of Desolation-Boiling Lake. This type of eruption or explosion is linked to the presence of deep high-temperature aquifers”
“The use of these shallow reservoirs may increase the likelihood of these eruptions occurring” (page 45)
Excuses, excuses….oh the sky is falling, the chicken crossed the street that’s why I’m hungry, dog ate homework that’s why I’m…(you guessed it, lol lol…. why should you take a bath the water is cold. I get it, You just want to stay as you are.
May God bless the people of Soufriere, who will be living downwind from the proposed hydrothermal plant. Enjoy the sulphur fumes and pray your fillings don’t drop out.
Only fools believe these jokers…
Well done, me boys.
Good move. This is our future. There are a lot of negative people around, but a geothermal plant is really a man made sulphur spring.
The same stuff it brings up is what is already in the Valley of Desolation and other sulphur areas around Dominica. Is the White River at Pointe Mulatre polluted or is it “mineral rich healthy for your skin” as the tourist hype like to say? Its the same thing that will come out of a geothermal plant. In any case it will be monitored and managed.
Good..202o this Labour government will never get a chance to develop geothermal…what a bunch of incompetents!
This will not work for the benefit of Dominicans.
Not under this Present Regime…
They are the Record Breaking Regime for Corruption In Dominica..Labour.
Labour who? them Guys only keep pampering the Poor And ignorant citizens that Dominica proudly boast Of…with uninformed and fair tales which They innocently rejoice.
Labour has already brought that Curse Virus in Dominica, so that Geothermal Project.
Is Dusted and Comprehensively “Dead” will only Bring About mass chaos and fruitless elements.
This Labour Regime, has Successful enhanced
Poverty and Rotten Corruption to a Level, which will Need a fasting Period to cleanse Dominica.
How can u be an unemployed youth?when we have such fertile soil in DA,the owner of bellows was on the air saying he have to buy hot pepper from other countries to keep his product moving so when some old bats like u all come on here masking as youth to spread u all propaganda this is an all time low for some of u all.
possie in a 50 years coma….wake up pls…
Wish I was close to you to kiss your big toe!!! The opposition, LAZY propagandist only spend their time searching for every blog on the internet and radio program to criticize the government instead of finding something productive to do to help themselves, their families and the country they claim to love. Just power hungry, lazy blue (and green) bugs they all are!!!!!!
Nothing will make progress once this Labour Regime Stays in Power..
Dominicans are just not alert enough to see the Leadership of the island is Headless!
Calling the radio shows won’t work Dominicans.
Because of Dominicans being so lack lustre and Just for the moment mindset type.
All these have contributed in Dominica being the
Poorest in the Eastern Caribbean.
Dominicans are not known to be Winners as a Nation
So they settle for less unable to rise to the Occasion….Period Dominica is a island where
Foolishness has become the Norm of their Culture.
Good move i like to hear dat may god bless it
Pawol keyonere – Blackmore do you know who are the board members of the company called offshore Marine?
As long as the risks (Financial, Safety, ROI’s) have al been analyzed and managed properly, we cant go wrong. However, if these are being played simply for political or personal gain by the major players we will be doomed with a very, very, very heavy debt to repay with nothing to show for it.
I remain, Assertive, NOT at All Aggressive!
When all you can go and excite Soufriere Volcano I hope all you will have an efficient means of evacuation for the PEOPLE!
I think the government should press on with geothermal and do what is in the country’s best interest