Caribbean News Now
by Tarnia Green
ROSEAU, Dominica (GIS) – The government of Dominica said it will seek to move to another stage in the implementation of the geothermal project within the next few months.
The results of the investigations to date have proven that the quality and quantity of the geothermal resource in the Wotten Waven area are extremely favourable and encouraging for generating electricity in Dominica.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told a delegates conference on Sunday that considerable progress has been made to commence test drilling in the Water Waven area by July of this year.
“Preliminary reports from the experts fuel our optimism that the results of the drilling exercise will be successful. Consumers can thus look forward to a substantial reduction in their electricity bills in the medium to long term,” Skerrit said.
The government said it will endeavour to make the necessary adjustments to facilitate the importation and transportation of the drilling rig and other equipment to access the drill sites and address matters that relate to private lands that may be affected.
The ongoing works are financed under a project jointly funded by the EU and Agence Francaise De Development and the French Global Environment Facility, the FFEM, totalling 5.5 million euro, with counterpart funding from the government of Dominica.
The government has moved to develop the policy, legislative and regulatory framework for the development of alternative energy and alternative energy technology in Dominica. That process is well advanced with several rounds of consultations having been held on proposed draft legislation.
