Dominica and Martinique explores cooperation for geothermal energy development

Dominica geothermal project site, Caribbean (source: Nixon George, Quick Link Productions via Dominica GDC)

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and President of the Executive Council of Martinique Serge Letchimy have held talks on the possibility of cooperating for geothermal energy development and to discuss proposals for an agreement to supply Martinique with renewable energy.

Dominica is developing a geothermal plant in the Roseau Valley where a potential geothermal resource has been identified by investigations made by the French Geological Survey (BRGM) in 2008. Three exploratory wells have already been drilled in the area, indicating a liquid-dominated reservoir with temperatures of up to 250 degrees Celsius and a minimum surface area of 9 square kilometers.

This project is being implemented by the Dominica Geothermal Development Company with financing from the International Developmental Association (IDA), the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), and the UK’s Department for International Development.

More recently, the Dominican government announced that it has issued two new contracts for the construction of the geothermal plant, as we reported. These contracts are meant to finalize the project and bring geothermal power to the island state.

Prime Minister Skerrit has given assurance that Dominica has the capacity to share the resource with their neighboring territory at a competitive price. For their part, Martinique will send a technical team to Dominica to observe the geothermal development and to conduct further talks for cooperation. Letchimy has also expressed intent to amake a case for a “Declaration of Intent to Cooperate” to the Martinique Assembly by the end of March.

Source: Caribbean Loop News