In an exciting and bold move, Dominica is moving forward with plans to establish Geothermal Energy as a backbone of the country’s economy.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced the granting of a licence to West Indies Power (Dominica) Ltd. which will launch the Geothermal Energy Project in the southern part of the isalnd. Parent Company West Indies Power Holdings BV (WIPH) has a drilling division in Nevis which has invested in the hi-tech drilling equipment necessary for the exploration phase. According to Dr. Kerry McDonald, CEO of WIPH, the machine can drill a 12-inch hole to a depth of 12,000 feet.
Dominica’s geothermal plant will be a 15-MW plant and is expected to be up and running by 2010. It is estimated that Dominica’s geothermal resources will provide enough power for Dominica to be self-sufficient and excess power for sale to neighbouring islands. According to WIPH’s website:
The US Department of Energy estimates that Dominica has the potential to produce 1300+ MW’s from its geothermal resources.
This is a truly exciting step for Dominica’s future and has made her now, more than ever, THE Nature Island of the Caribbean.