DOMINICA AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Dominica is uniquely placed to be a standard bearer for the use of renewable energy resources in the Caribbean . It has numerous rivers because of it high annual rainfall, wind, sunshine and geothermal resources.
The Dominican Government has stated its objectives for the energy sector are
1) to minimize the cost of energy,
2) diversify energy sources,
3) reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, and
4) conserve energy, while at the same time, reducing emissions of green house gases.
The Government states that its short-term goal is to have at least 25% of all electricity generated in Dominica from renewable sources by the year 2010, while encouraging and promoting the need for energy efficiency and energy security.
On April 24, 2009 Minister for Public Utilities, Energy and Ports, Hon. Charles Savarin stated at a Multi Sector Stakeholder Consultation in Roseau Dominica on the formulation of a National Energy Policy that the challenge is to “turn away from the established precept of seeing electricity as a public service good to be guaranteed and subsidized by Government, and treat our rich endowment in renewable sources of energy, more particularly hydro, geothermal and wind, as a resource to be harnessed and exploited for the production of electricity not only for local consumption but for export to neighbouring islands as well”.
Government Initiatives on Renewable Energy
2004/2005, as part of its Eastern Caribbean Geothermal Development Project, (Geo-Caraibes), the OAS supported a study on the geothermal energy potential carried out by the French Geothermal Company (CFG). The study focussed on the Wotten Waven area and carried out geological, geophysical and geochemical surveys.
The Minister revealed that the 2005 report suggested that good conditions for commercial exploitation of the geothermal resource in the Wotten Waven are expected as “there is ample evidence of deep, high temperature reservoirs”.
Other initiatives undertaken include:
- In May and June of 2004, feasibility studies on hydro power for Dominica were carried out by the German Technical Assistance, GTZ. Part of the objectives of the studies was to assess the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Trafalgar and/or Padu hydro power plants according to DOMLEC’s priority. The reports concluded that “all of the investigated rehabilitation and upgrading options are technically feasible and economically and financially viable”.
- In 1992, the OECS Secretariat, with the assistance of the British Development Division in the Caribbean completed the wind energy assessment of the Caribbean . The northeast corner of the island, was identified as the most promising area for wind energy development in Dominica.
- In the July, 2002 study published by the University of the West Indies Centre for Environment and Development (UWICED) entitled “The Potential of Renewable Energy Technologies-Diversifying Dominica’s Energy Supply”, five (5) sites were identified for further study.
- In 2003, the GTZ carried out a wind energy assessment for Government. This study covered nine (9) sites on the southeast coast and five (5) sites in the northeast. The reports stated that the northeast coast of Dominica present the best opportunities for large scale development of wind power on wind farms. The report also stated however that the weakness of the electricity distribution system does not currently allow for large injections of power along the east and northeast coasts.
- In April, 2008, the Dominica Government signed a Transnational Partnership Agreement (TPA) with the Regional Councils of Guadeloupe and Martinique and other development agency partners to continue research into the feasibility of geothermal development in the Wotten Waven area and of interconnectivity between Dominica and Guadeloupe and Martinique for geothermal power transmission.
- The TPA is the prelude to the project “Preparation of a Geothermal-based Cross-Border Electrical Interconnection in the Caribbean” financed by the European Union , AFD and FFEM to the tune of 5.5 million euros over three years. The Minister stated that within the next two years the investment will provide Government with technical, financial, institutional and legal information for the establishment of geothermal plants with the capacity to supplement local needs at much reduced cost and to sell 100 megawatts of electricity to Guadeloupe and Martinique via submarine cable as part of the EU’s 20/20/20 commitment.
- In determining the use of four (4) 30MW “single flash” turbines for the production of 120 mega watts of electricity, the preliminary project evaluation determined total investment cost at between US$430 450 million .
- In July, 2008, Government issued a license to West Indies Power (Dominica) Ltd for the exploration and exploitation of the geothermal resources in the Soufriere area. The Minister stated that the results so far are sufficiently favourable to encourage the company to pursue the development of its proposed geothermal energy investment programme. The project will seek to exploit Dominica’s geothermal resources for generating cleaner and lower cost electricity.
Fossil fuels such as oil are in this author’s opinion out dated , expensive and dirty and we should not be looking backward but looking forward to making Dominica a Beacon for cleaner, less harmful sources of energy consistent with the Nature Isle concept which Government promotes to Investors and visitors.
As an alternative energy source, geothermal is an undeniably attractive option but not without pros and cons. The heat source is consistent, naturally occurring, and requires no fuel or pipelines. Geothermal facilities have smaller spatial ‘footprints’ than other energy-generating processes, and produce little in the way of emissions or waste by-products. Overall, the production of geothermal energy results in less impact to water or air quality than other power-generating processes.
Perhaps the most significant drawback is the capital expense necessary for the initial exploration and the subsequent costs of bringing a new generating plant on-line. At present, the Dominican government provides little in the way of economic incentives to develop such operations. Depending on the nature of the geothermal source and the type of plant that is built, some environmental consequences may result and may require management. Longevity of the geothermal field may be limited (i.e., and may necessitate re-injection of process water). Dissolved minerals in the process water may require removal and disposal in regulated waste sites, but some elements in this sludge (e.g., zinc, silica, sulfur) may be extracted and sold. If process water is discharged to surface water, pre-treatment may be required to remove elements such as arsenic, mercury, and antimony. Continued discussion is a necessary and important prerequisite to informed decisions.
Before any geothermal programs go forward in Dominica, a number of questions must be answered. At minimum, one must consider the costs of producing electricity from geothermal plants versus other renewable options – hydro, wind, or solar. What are the pros and cons of these other options, and how do these different options compare? Additionally, what is the Government’s role in regulation of power generation? What would be the cost of Dominica’s commitment to an international geothermal power initiative? What benefits would be returned, and on what time scale?
It is imperative that Dominica’s Ministry for Energy continue to pursue alternative energy sources for the country, including geothermal, and to keep all supporters of the country’s energy program adequately informed. “
By: Carol Stein on July 1, 2009
at 5:55 pm
Renewable Energy in Dominica
Dominica has access to reasonably cheap oil from Venezuela, so does not need to invest in renewable energy. That is the argument you might hear from some people, but it is misguided. Why?
At the present time Dominica’s annual electricity consumption is about 100 million kilowatt hours of which about 75% is obtained from oil fuelled generators and the remaining 25% from hydro-electric. The demand in spite of numerous power cuts is growing at the rate of about 10% per year. In order for Dominica’s economy to thrive, it needs cheap and reliable sources of energy into the foreseeable future. Imported oil with its fluctuations in price and availability could hold Dominica to economic ransom, should oil prices rise dramatically as they have done in the past.
Fortunately, Dominica is blessed with sun, wind, wave, geothermal, and biomass renewable resources that are as yet untapped and recently the government set out a renewable energy programme. Its short term goal is to increase the capacity of its hydro electricity generation which will make it possible to maintain the 25% hydro-electric share up to 2010. Longer term, the government is hoping that Dominica’s geothermal resources will provide an electricity bonanza. 120MW of low cost electrical power, 80% of which would be exported to the neighbouring islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique via submarine cable is their aim. This project is now reaching the drilling stage to identify the most suitable sites. Whether, or not this ambitious project, clears all the technical and financial hurdles remains to be seen. Furthermore, the public will need to be assured that any adverse environmental impact of Dominica’s fragile and precious ecology is kept to an acceptable minimum. In view of these risks, Dominica should also look to harness some of its other renewable resources that pose lower risks in providing reasonably cheap electricity into the future and at the same time preserve its beautiful natural environment. Probably the front runner is wind energy. This is reflected in the growth of wind generated electricity worldwide. Clusters of wind turbines in high points of the island or possibly in high valleys that run east-west that funnel the prevailing winds are likely to be most effective. They could be located in remote forestry areas away from the tourist trails where they would have least environmental impact. These generators would feed into the DOMLEC electricity system, suitably reinforced where necessary. Since there is always wind at these levels, Dominica does not need too much “back-up” from other sources.
Large scale solar generated electricity needs large flat desert like areas that Dominica does not have. It could have some small scale uses at the domestic level however, as the Three Rivers eco-resort has demonstrated. Accordingly the government is encouraging the installation of photovoltaic (solar) electric systems for domestic, commercial, and institutional use.
A further argument in harnessing renewable energy is that it helps mitigate the effects of climate change. Climate scientists worldwide are saying that it is now beyond reasonable doubt that climate change is “man made”. The unprecedented increase in green house gases caused by the burning of fossil fuels is causing the world to warm up. This in turn is causing increasing desertification, rising sea levels and more severe weather events. Of special concern to Dominica is the potential for more intense and therefore more damaging hurricanes.
Thus with wind power and hopefully (clean) geothermal power and possible other renewable energy resources, Dominica can be self sufficient and proudly set an example to other nations with its eco-friendly energy policy.
Jack Goody: BSc; MIEE
Jack is a frquent visitor to Dominica and has spent a life time career in the Electricity Supply Industry. He has consulted on assignments in the UK, USA, Kenya, Malaysia, Zambia and Holland.
By: Jack Goody on July 2, 2009
at 12:04 pm
I have read jack’s article on renewable energy in Dominica and was please to read the ideals of some else who thinks the same way that I do. Renewable energy and the use of our water have major ecomonical potential for Dominica. The government just needs to manage this well. I am Dominica born and an electrical engineer in the UK. I can see the cost of electricity raising world wide. So anything that the Dominica goverment can do to reduce the cost of generation must help my beloved Dominica, Great article, keep up the good work.
Herman Philogene
By: Herman philogene on August 8, 2009
at 11:52 pm
Interesting comments.
I think we all agree Dominica should go green, and even “greener”.
Dominica should lead the Caribbean alternate energy movement but is still very far from that point. Other islands are far advanced now, just because they seriously moved forward in the past year or 2 : Grenada, St Vincent, Anguilla..
There are 3 very important factors playing a key role in the alternate energy development potential in any given territory :
Some are under the responsability and control of the government, some others are not although a clear government position would help .
1/ Utility Company policy.
For Alternate Energy installations to be attractive moneywise, there must be a possibility to return the surplus energy produced to the Grid, and this at a decent price. The minimum is a net metering formula where any kilowatt sent to the grid gives credit for one kilowatt from the Grid company. Today, Domlec is still refusing this system and should be obliged by the government to do so . They invent many reasons to refuse it although Grenlec in grenada and Vinlec in St Vincent have already moved forward accordingly.
Without such a clear incentive system, alternate energy systems will remain exceptional.
2/ A good banking system allowing consumers to get loans at decent rates for their alternate energy systems in order to match their utility bill with a similar loan. This should be one of the AID bank mission.
3/ A real duty free policy from government. Not one where only the 5% import duty are removed , leaving the consumers pay the 3 % Customs service charge, the 1,5 % “Environment levy (!!!)” and the 15 % VAT !
Last, but not least, the public should not consider alternate energy as cheaper than the grid systems . they are a far better option, more reliable, they are good for the planet and the future generations, but they are not – yet – cheaper . One of the main reasons is the cost of “producing” energy compared with the cost of each kw “delivered” including transport lines and their maintenance, and including Utility company’s overheads ! .
Todays cost of producing 1 kw in Domlec’s rate structure is not that expensive. What is very expensive is the delivered Kw . But one must admit setting up and maintaining lines throughout the rugged Dominica is not an easy task .
Let’s go Green together
Sustainable Earth Inc.
The Caribbean Alternate Energy Company
Based in Dominica
Hervé Nizard
By: Hervé Nizard - Sustainable Earth Inc. on September 17, 2009
at 5:23 pm