Funding For Geothermal Energy Plant in Roseau Acquired and Construction Underway
Funding for Geothermal Energy Plant in Roseau acquired and construction underway in the bid to make Dominica the first climate-resilient country with a cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable energy source. This fact was disclosed by the Minister for Energy, Ian Douglas, who stated that the concept design for the plant is already approved and funding finalized with the World Bank.
The Dominica Geothermal Development Company Limited together with the Ministry of Trade, Energy and Employment have carried out all necessary tests of the Roseau Valley where the plant will be situated and determined that it is the most suitable place for the project. Douglas said work will soon commence at the location with funds negotiated and re-injection pipeline from Laudat to Wotten Waven and Trafalgar already perfected.
“Negotiations between the World Bank and the government on funding to build the power plant has been finalized, so in fact we have all of the money we need to start building the Geothermal Development Plant,” Minister Douglas said.
He disclosed that the government is now in the process of acquiring the land in the area to facilitate the construction of the geothermal plant. He noted that letters have been dispatched to landowners to intimate them of government’s intention to acquire the land after paying for it. He revealed that over $50 million was spent to explore the area to determine its suitability for the project.
The idea to explore the benefits of a geothermal energy plant started in 2011, and drilling finished in 2015 following which the government waits to commence on the next stage. The DLP administration said a French investment consortium would construct and manage the plant so that power can be available to all Dominicans as well as exported to Guadeloupe and Martinique. To this end, the government invested US$15 million from the CBI fund programme to execute the project.
Towards the end of 2016, New Zealand and Dominica agreed to a $4 million partnership agreement towards the building of a 7 megawatts geothermal power plant in the island state.
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