The DLP administration has declared that up to 20 megawatts of geothermal power can be generated with the existing infrastructure at Laudat without drilling more wells. The Minister for Energy, Dr. Vince Henderson, who made this revelation after an official visit to the geothermal site, said the current production is enough to meet the needs of the citizenry, businesses, and the proposed international airport.
Henderson also expressed satisfaction that the progress of work at the site is faster than anticipated.
It was estimated that it would take 47 days, but it actually took them 37 days to get to this point,” he said. “And the fact that we did not have to go deeper than 1,385 metres, this is great news; so we have gotten to a stage where the contractors have said to us, ‘yes this is it, we think we have found it.
Dr. Vince Henderson, Minister for Energy
Given the fact that the project has progressed faster than expected, and the testimony that the contractors agreed that the current depth of 1,385 metres is enough to generate the required steam needed to power the country, Henderson said the quality and quantity of the resource obtained already would be analyzed to determine its suitability for national needs. He said 10 megawatts is already generated from the wells at P1 and another 2 megawatts from a smaller well nearby.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved US$17 million to finance the construction of a geothermal energy project in St. Kitts and Nevis. It is estimated that the project, upon completion, will generate enough power to reduce electricity costs, reduce carbon emissions, and upgrade energy security in the twin-island country.
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