Geothermal Power Company of Dominica (2023) Ltd (GPCD)

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The Geothermal Power Company of Dominica (2023) Ltd (GPCD) is a Dominican subsidiary of Ormat Technologies Inc., a global leader in geothermal energy development. Established to develop and operate Dominica’s first large-scale geothermal power plant, GPCD is a private entity responsible for financing, constructing, maintaining, and managing the facility in Laudat. The company has entered a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (DOMLEC), ensuring a long-term power supply to the national grid.

Role of GPCD in Dominica's Energy Transition

GPCD is critical in Dominica’s plan to achieve 100% renewable energy, a goal outlined in the country's Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan (CRRP). With Dominica’s rich geothermal potential, the government has long sought to transition from fossil fuel dependence to sustainable power generation. GPCD was chosen as the developer and operator of this initiative, backed by Ormat’s decades of experience in geothermal technology.

Key functions of Geothermal Power Company of Dominica Ltd. (GPCD) in this project include:

• Developing a 10-megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant in Laudat, using binary cycle geothermal technology to generate electricity.
• Managing all aspects of power generation, from harnessing geothermal energy to ensuring stable distribution to the national grid.
• Reducing Dominica’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, thereby lowering electricity costs and improving energy security.
• Minimizing environmental impact by using a closed-loop binary system, preventing emissions and conserving geothermal reservoirs.

Ormat Technologies and the GPCD Partnership

GPCD operates under Ormat Technologies Inc., a global leader in geothermal energy with over 50 years of experience in the field. Ormat specializes in binary geothermal power plants, which allow efficient energy extraction without releasing greenhouse gases. The partnership brings cutting-edge geothermal technology and expertise to Dominica.

The Government of Dominica, through the Dominica Geothermal Development Company Ltd. (DGDC), initially developed the project before transferring plant operation rights to Ormat (via GPCD). However, Dominica retains ownership of all geothermal wells, land, and associated infrastructure, ensuring national control over the resource. After 25 years of private operation, GPCD will transfer the plant’s ownership back to the government, securing Dominica’s long-term energy independence.

Technical Aspects of the Geothermal Plant

The 10-megawatt geothermal power plant will use binary cycle technology, a system where heat from geothermal reservoirs is transferred to a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point. This allows energy conversion without steam emissions, making it an environmentally friendly solution for power generation. Unlike traditional geothermal plants, binary systems recycle the extracted geothermal fluid back into the reservoir, ensuring long-term sustainability of the resource.

Benefits of GPCD’s Geothermal Project

The development of geothermal power under GPCD is expected to bring multiple economic and environmental benefits to Dominica, including:

• Lower Electricity Costs: Geothermal energy will significantly reduce Dominica’s electricity tariffs, which are currently among the highest in the Caribbean due to reliance on imported fuel.
• Energy Security & Independence: The country will decrease dependence on foreign oil, improving national energy security.
• Carbon Emission Reduction: The plant will cut thousands of metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually, advancing Dominica’s climate resilience strategy.
• Sustainable Economic Growth: The geothermal sector is expected to create jobs, attract investment, and drive economic diversification.

Future Expansion and Renewable Energy Goals

While the current project is set at 10 MW, Dominica’s total geothermal capacity is estimated to be much larger. Future expansion could:

• Increase geothermal energy production, allowing for exports to neighboring islands via an inter-island grid.
• Support Dominica’s ambition to become the first fully climate-resilient nation, as outlined in the World Bank-backed Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan (CRRP).
• Promote new opportunities in renewable energy investment, including further geothermal exploration and hybrid solar-geothermal solutions.

The Geothermal Power Company of Dominica Ltd. (GPCD) represents a major step forward in Dominica’s renewable energy transformation, ensuring sustainable power generation, lower electricity costs, and energy security. With the backing of Ormat Technologies, this project positions Dominica as a leader in geothermal energy development in the Caribbean.