Ongoing power outages causing disruptions across Dominica might have been entirely preventable, had Dominica Electricity Services Limited (Domlec) given due consideration to a groundbreaking solar grid project proposed for Tarreau, asserts Dr. Dale Dangleben.
During an exclusive interview with Dominica News Online (DNO), the Dominica-born medical doctor who is based in the United States, shared a proposed quotation for a 2 MW (megawatt) AC (2.5 MW DC) solar array, which was sent to the electrical company’s Generation Manager, Dave Stamp on April 18, 2022.
Dr. Dangleben revealed that the recommended site of Tarreau was purportedly built upon Stamp’s own input during discussions involving Stamp, himself, and one of the largest commercial solar developers in the US. The envisaged solar array hinged on the deployment of Canadian Solar panels and an innovative panel mounting structure engineered to endure extreme wind speeds of up to 160 mph, as ascertained by preliminary analysis.
The correspondence disclosed that the financial outlay for executing the 2 MW AC Solar Array installation at the Tarreau site amounted to $6,413,776.00 USD. Email exchanges dating back to December 2021 revealed a series of discussions between Stamp, Dr. Dangleben, and the US-based commercial solar developer, regarding the proposed project. However, according to Dr. Dangleben, during 2022, Stamp’s responsiveness gradually waned, and said that in subsequent communications, the Domlec official attributed the delay to urgent priorities related to the system’s operations.
Dr. Dangleben expressed deep-seated disappointment in Stamp’s unprofessional demeanor, highlighting the absence of closure surrounding the project. He believes that his colleague’s proposition had the potential to gift the entire island free energy for less than $10 million which would in turn benefit the public and return excess energy to the grid.
The health expert opined that the squandered prospect of deploying the envisaged solar grid in Tarreau raises questions about the decision-making process at Domlec and the prioritization of alternative energy solutions.
“These people are playing the public and impoverishing them,” he decried. “It’s an unfortunate and disheartening situation. I was genuinely eager to contribute to Dominica. The island stands at a loss.”
Dominica News Online attempted unsuccessfully, to reach Mr. Stamp for comment on Dr. Dangleben’s assertions, however, in a recent media communication, the Domlec official attributed the ongoing islandwide power outages to an insufficiency in generation capacity. He stated on Thursday that over the weekend the company lost a significant portion of the hydro system because of damage to the pipeline and while they have managed to restore the pipeline, they still have not been able to restore all of the hydro units that run off that pipeline.
Stamp revealed that Further compounding the challenge, that two major generation units were presently undergoing maintenance, impeding their operation.
“So long and short of it is that this low generating capacity which is spreading the load management that we have leaves the system in a very unstable and vulnerable situation,” he stated.
He cautioned that additional hiccups, whether generator malfunctions, trips, or line issues, had the potential to inflict significant disruptions on the system and induce wider outages. Amidst the difficulties, Stamp sought to reassure the public of Domlec’s undivided commitment to rapidly restoring inactive capacity to alleviate the ongoing reliability
concerns.
“We will get through this and we will restore the capacity and this load shedding. So we apologize sincerely to our customer, but we will come out of this period of unstable and unreliable supply,” he declared.
Will Domlec please release the cost of replacing damaged appliances for customers. This will provide some jolt to the leadership of the company and the shareholders and the public of one of the collateral damages caused by the incomprehensible decision making by the government of Dominica. Go ahead, Domlec, and make my day.
Where ignorance is bliss, it’s folly to be wise. The “I’m-the-people” leader really believes that the two honorary doctorates that were paid for makes him so smart that he listens to no one. His ignorance is bliss. Instead he acts like he’s the only smart person in the Labor Party cabal and the country at large that he has his acolytes repeating, “if not Skerritt then who?”. The result is that the country suffers, just see the load shedding of electric power we’re experiencing now. He bragged that buying 37 years old equipment from a smart multinational company and about how brilliant he and his government is. We have had so many bragadocious utterances from this baffon, about roads, electric generators, cruise terminals, due diligence, no one will hold a gun to his head etc. I’m feeling sorry for Stamp. Moses and his people suffered a long time but finally the hand of God delivered them. Dominica, your deliverance from blissful ignorance is assured. Tanto, patriots.
no solar power would have done nothing to solve the problem. remember the sun sets and battery storrage is not at a position where it is viable in anyway shape or form
i doh like the government but dont come and talk nonesense there please
that’s exactly true, no solar power can’t solve that issue of power capacity but can work for transient (surge)or else the USA and Canada would have arrive there before us, it’s a hoax for large global corporation in big countries to make money and there president pushing it in lobby style to overburden us with debt, the amount a batteries you will need will be quite dangerous since high temperature if not cooled properly can become a bomb. during cloudy rainy days it’s load shedding since the panels will never reach 50% capacity, I am a solar and wind enthusiast, I use it at my home and it’s so expensive and inadequate due to budget. these American countries has nuclear power plant which is equivalent to thermal energy plant we are hoping to activate in the Caribbean, none of the Caribbean countries dear think of nuclear energy, that’s the idea the USA and others are trying to kill, because it will mean cheaper cost of living and military application. so the cost of doing business remains high across the Caribbean,
Dr Dangleben, lets keep in mind that they also refuse to use any solar equipment on any of the government administrative buildings. Buildings that consume a vast amount of energy. Ive heard excuses like they dont want to discourage people from geothermal. Absolute nonsense, as if one wont compliment the other. Eventually they will finish kill off the nation. Might be sooner than later.
Any essential utility owned and operated by government is doomed to decline and failure. With the man who runs things in charge, the deterioration of Domlec may be particularly quick and ugly.
Not one of the so called knowledgeable individuls are saying UWP sold Domlec.Domlec turned around and was making $11,000,000 and $12,000,000 in profit on the backs of Dominicans every year,untill DLP bought it in 2022.Where was DaleDangleben?
What do you all expect anything this Skerrit lead Administration touch it is DOOM to Fail. Dominica is a Failed State and DOMLEC is Doomed to Failure. A Starboy of Stupidity (Roosevelt Skerrit) he who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a FOOL, it’s asked to DISCARD HIM, Dominicans embrace Stupidity what do you expect. Skerrit needs to get his hands out of DOMLEC. PERIOD!!!!
That’s the ignorance of some Dominicans. Because if their loyalty to a failed Labor Party Administration they are brain washed into criticizing anyone with a constructive veiw on a situation. 20 years the skerrit lead government is speaking Geothermal, wasting and corrupt ways of getting money. Uptill today no energy. A man presented another option That’s less economical and environmentally impact on the people. They are not seeing all they are seeing is someone against the government. You so called educated people stop and think for a bit. Take time, sit and think for a moment. Examine your personal life and situation and look back 20 years and tell me how your life was and how it is today. That’s what you Dominicans need to do. Stop being Loyal to a man that don’t give a sh.. about you. The man keeps enriching himself and you keep begging, struggling to pay you bills, can’t eat a food of your choice and have to struggling to keep a dollar in your pocket. Dale is Well Off think…
It is shameful that we continue to make excuses and allow opportunities to pass by.
My electricity bill went from $500.00 plus to 1500.00 plus over a one month period. This is riidiculous. No.new appliances were purchased.
The sad thing is that we grumble to each other, but never make an effort to face the authorities.
Dominicans wake up, we have been fooled for too long. Look around and see with your eyes.
God bless us all as we continue to watch the silent rape of our natural resources to expatriates.
Nothing is good for us except the big boys have a BIGGER hand in it.
I can sympathise with Dr. Dale Dangleben’s disillusionment at “responsiveness that gradually waned”. In my experience, recommendations submitted to government entities don’t even get a response, period.
Five months ago, I submitted to the Ministry of Public Works a 10 page report on the ongoing situation at Antrim. I am still awaiting the courtesy of response.
These guys figure the only responsibility they have is a duty to report to work in the morning and leave at 4. Repeat from Monday to Friday. There is a reason why countries like Dominicawill remain poor. We keep doing the same mediocre job day in day out without consequence.
My experience at work is completely different. We are always striving to be better and to do better ALWAYS.
What, he is a sustainable energy expert too?!
Another Diasporan trying to remote control Dominica. DNO, behind every story is a story. DOMLEC is usually responsive, but speak also to the Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC).
Another wannabe from Pointe Michel.
@Putin
Your problem is that you are a slave to a corrupt regime, so you can’t do anything else but to support their diabolic work, even if deep within, you are convinced that what you are doing is wrong….I pity you….You were not born to be so! But trust me, you are not alone!
You mean, my post has pricked you that badly?
Well, toofay!! You want me to repost it here for you so you can toofay even better?
Just a man with a brain. An actual Dr. one who went to school to earn that title. We expect that sort of response from you.
Always a bunch od BS excuses when they fail to deliver. How can anyone run a company that is so vulnerable to the slightest hiccup?
Our neighbor to the south, St. Lucia has a much more reliable grid. Instead of making a series of announcements about geothermal energy that has not produced a watt of electricity, we should shore up what we have.