The West Indies Power (WIP) Environmental Impact Statement (EIA), which enables the company to begin exploratory “slim hole” drilling in the Soufriere Valley, has been approved by the Government of Dominica.
The drilling is to be made in order to determine conditions of the geothermal reservoir in that area,
The drilling plan conducted by West Indies Power (Dominica) Ltd. calls for the drilling of 2-3 “slim holes” to a depth of 1000m. “Slim holes” are 2-6 inch wells that are drilled to test for temperature, pressure, and solution chemistry. The results of these tests will allow WIP to determine the size and composition of the geothermal reservoir and to begin designing the geothermal power plant to use those geothermal solutions.
Construction of the drill sites will begin in 4th quarter of 2011 and drilling is planned for 2nd quarter of 2012. It will employ both foreign contractors and Dominican workers.
Kerry McDonald, CEO of WIP, stated, “ WIP is pleased to have been granted the right be able to begin drilling in Soufriere. For years people have suspected that there is a geothermal reservoir in this area and now we will be able to finally prove it’s existence.”
West Indies Power (WIP) is an independent power producer specializing in the development of geothermal energy in the Caribbean with geothermal development projects on Nevis/St. Kitts, Dominica, Saba and other Caribbean islands.
It so happens that the same exploratory work has been done and completed in Nevis and the project is soon to move into a major phase that is construction and production. Nevis will have geothermal energy sometime in 2012.
The Nevis Island Administration has supported the project every step of the way. West Indies Power were given the liscence to develop geothermal energy and the company are the ones financing the project.
What’s wrong with us Dominicans who don’t like to read and educate ourselves; do our own personal research about things. The information is right there and on the internet if you only LOOK!
Little Nevis will be the first English speaking Caribbean island to develop its geothermal resource and believe me I can hardly wait.
The company has began land clearing (40 of 79 acres) for work to move forward on the project.
Another thing is locals will be employed and by extension the economy will belifit from those who have to come from overseas to give their expertise (for example the engineers- They have to rent homes, eat, sleep, drink and yes party on down time and all that means some money for Dominicans one way or another)
We in the Caribbean certainly can’t keep up with the ups and downs of the world market prices of oil. In my educated opinion Geothermal is the way to go. It is natural and God given too like oil.
Oh and by the way for those who think the project is associate with earthquakes … not ah ting go so!!!! WIP has been utilising the energy from natural cracks in the earth they are not creating any fractures. Creating fractures or fracking as it is referred to is what caused earthquakes in other parts of the world.
I speak because I know better. I am not paid by WIP to say what I have written I speak becasue I make it my business to know.
Sounds encouraging. I am praying for all to go well(no pun)…I can hardly wait. Thanks for info.
Frankly, Dominica will end up receiving peanuts from its own unique, natural resource. Isn’t it the same De Gannes, who was the Manager of our National Bank Isn’t that same person who is the chairman of WIP D/ca?
Why didn’t Govt. have some foresight and approach that geothermal project as a joint venture of Govt. linking with capable Dominicans here and abroad who have the knowledge and capacity to move that project forward for the maximum benefit of all Dominicans?
There are capable Dominican Electrical, civil and mechanical engineers, top business people who were willing to participate and expressed their willingness through a written proposal. But Alas, they were rejected. Of course, we do not have all the expertise and should collaborate with foreign experts. But my god, such an important project must be led and be controlled by Dominicans.
Govt believes in sidelining their own fellowmen too much. PWC capable of and involved in road surfacing cast aside as well as Local construction companies from major national projects. It is downright backward and shameful. Our people should come first, especially if they have the skills and capabilities.
Approval of those EIAs is another seriuos issue. Remember Gardakhan’s Co. submitted its EIA for the building of its asphalt plant close to the community of Layou. The plant spews tons upon tons of cancerous pollutants which will affect the health of an entire community, yet the EIA was approved with no regard for the concerns of the villagers of layou and the Dominican public.
What about the millions of tons of pumice being exported by foreign Cos.? How much revenue does Dominica get? Pittance. Don’t we learn any lessons at all? Once any country allows its natural resources to be in the control of foreign entities, expect more and more poverty and lose of Sovereignty. Once any Govt. feels and has as its policy that our development is dependent mainly from outside, expect backwardness and further lose of your sovereignty. Why do the authorities lack so much confidence in its people? Why? Why?
I am for bi-partisan, patriotic and I still don’t see anything wrong with foreign investment, if that’s what you mainly hitting on. (as long as they keep domlec out of it, it’s all good; but slow so far).
http://www.westindiespower.com/about_exec.aspGregory deGannes-Chairman
Mr deGannes is well known throughout the Caribbean and has over thirty years of broad financial and comercial experience in the region. He has been associated with Chase Manhattan Bank, CIBC, Bank of Montserrat, and Antigua Comercial Bank, He is currently Managing Director of the National Bank of Dominica and a Director of Caribbean Financial Services Corporation
Remember him he is part of the Company.
What about him? Tell us more, good and/or bad.
Sad thing is Dumlec is positioning themslves to monopolize this too, to kill us, if and when it comes alive.
Remember they getting their peermit renewed and the gov’t is going to renew it rather than put $27M towards nationalizing Dumlec for the common good of the nation. Sad!
dts good to hear,but look out 4 earthqaukes,dominicas gone alredy,and all dem investment u hardly seeing were de money going
Thats a money funnel.You will see how and where it will end up before too long.
I hope we have learnt from the experience with the chinese. Let us hear the proportion of Dominicans to non-Dominicans who will be employed on the project. On the statehouse it is 14 chinese to one Dominican.
Mr Prime Minister do not let that happen again!!!!!
Every goverment in its temoporary state must give hope to new oportunities, this may be one of those stages that Dominicans can have look deep within and feel prooud that as a people we can produce a product that is unique to our strategic geograghical location.
Good! Is this the company that Gregory DeGans was/is associated with? Who Conducted the EIA for WIP?
This is long awaited good news, because I am fed-up with the highway robbery being carried out by Domlec.
Yeh whoo hoo…. lets trouble nature to get some money!!! Let’s stick pins in Dominica buttom and gold or money steam will flow….I hope you guys did good enough research!! so called miracle lake taught us a lesson…..hmmmmm am hoping for the best, but sadly every thing man do have some negative consequences…but when they come on tv and talk, they never saying what they are…..any way!! this world is not my home, am just passing through!!
dude I read your upend piece a few times to understand what the hell you’re talking about, and the only part that made sense to me was..”this world is not my home, I’m just passing through”. Sorry man.
You for real man padner??? Geothermal energy is not being invented in Dominica nuh, this is a thing that has been done all over the world for years all of a sudden as they do it in Dominica something drastic just going to happen? Lets celebrate successes in development and stop look to the negative every time
very positive
Duh ‘Mr Jnosuede’ what was that, Brain fart?
This is the first bit of seemingly uncontroversial GOOD NEWS in a while. I hope it works.