Dominica is spending too much on the importation of diesel, Energy Minister Rayburn Blackmoore has said.
His comment came during a ceremony at Public Service Training Center Wednesday for the signing of a contract geared at moving forward with development of geothermal energy in Dominica.
Geothermal energy will reduce Dominica’s dependence on diesel and lessen its import bill, Blackmoore said. He noted Dominica spent $49.1 million in 2008, $63.1 million in 2009 and $38.9 million for first half of 2010, in buying diesel.
“This simply means we are spending too much money on the importation of diesel for the purpose of energy generation.
“Furthermore, we the consumers pay 58 cents for the first 50 kilowatts per hour on our bills and 67 cents for above 50 kilowatts per hour and when one compounds that with reality of an average 43 cents on every dollar for fuel surcharge, you can appreciate the impact it’s having on our economy,” Blackmoore underscored.
An Iceland company and the Dominica government signed the contract for the drilling of test wells in the Roseau Valley, a project worth more than 4.5 million euros.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the Roseau Valley stands to benefit tremendously from geothermal energy development as it will address unemployment. He said the project is capable of “transforming the economy of Dominica for creating sustainable jobs in the economy and for fighting poverty in Dominica.”
“We are signing this contract at a time when the price of fossil fuel on the international market has surpassed 100 a barrel… it will certainly increase the price at the pump, it will increase the price of food and other supplies on the shelves,” he said.
The European Union, Agence Francaise de Development and Regional Councils of Martinique and Guadeloupe are partnering with Dominica on the geothermal project.
Geothermal tests will get off the ground by July 22, 2011 and culminate at the end of 2012. The drilling is not expected to trigger any major seismic activity in Dominica, contractors said, but tolerable inconveniences are expected.
WHAT HAPPEN TO WEST INDIES POWER????????????
blackmore your lost my friend geothermal energy is a longtime away,everywhere in the world is spending too much on fuel,so plese come with something better you and the labour party are a waste.
we knew that a long time ago. i think rather than supplying Guadeloupe and Martinique with our electricity, we should just convert the country to 120. simple. who need transformers, buy. in time we will get pass that.
While I will congratulate the signing of the project it is just sad to see that the entire story is never given.
Geothermal energy for the near future, will do little more that petro- caribe did years ago,the true savings on Geothermal is many years away if ever.
A 5MW test plant which we may have for many years after the drilling will be as costly to run.
So while I say congrates lets also read what the experts (not the minister) say and the figures that they will provide to back up their findings. True savings occur, only with the much larger plants >50MW.
Less we forgot
Is Diesel Alone?????
Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! who vex lost
yes mr minister.. true dat.. every one who pays bills know dat.. you should have focused on the current trend as projected by yur figures and future sustainability.
greater selling points. non the less we welcome the poject .. and we look forward to more affordable rates