The Government of Montserrat has contracted a Barbados-based Company to conduct an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in connection with the impending geothermal exploration.
Director of Public Works in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Ron Beardsley confirmed that Atom Solutions Inc., a global energy and technology services provider registered in Barbados won the contract.
Montserrat has been preparing to begin exploratory drilling in connection with geothermal development at the base of Richmond Hill within the daytime exclusion zone.
Beardsley explained, “The outcomes from the ESIA will determine if restrictions or mitigation measures are required to minimise the impact on any endangered fauna/flora, wildlife habitats or water sources. It also looks at potential impacts on the public and residents nearby.
“Given the location we are not anticipating too many issues. The impact of ash and acid rain has taken its toll on the area and there are no habitable dwellings nearby,” the PWD head added.
Drilling tenders complete
Following the completion and evaluation of the ESIA, the next stage is to appoint a drilling contractor to drill two exploratory production wells. The Procurement Board opened drilling tenders on August 31. The officials reported that there was one valid tender after another from a group that has interest in the Nevis geothermal project, failed in submitting a properly documented tender.
The Icelandic Drilling Company Ltd. ended being the only valid bidder coming in at just over $6.5 million. The bid is reportedly being considered and will move through the tender processes.
According to Beardsley, he said: “The drilling will take approximately four months and is expected to commence at the turn of the year. We will then test the resource over several months before deciding on the next phase of the project”.
The ESIA project start date is September 12 and the project duration is expected to last six weeks. Anticipating no adverse in the report, Montserrat may be on the way to delivering geothermal energy within two years following June next year.
