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

Herman Philogene

On Sunday approximately 9,000 persons filled the Windsor Park Stadium and on Tueesday nearly 10,500 persons came to support the Windies.

The West Indies lost both matches but considering many team members had no test match experience they did well. On Sunday, the scores were West Indies all out for 197 and Bangladesh 246 for 4.

On Tuesday the West Indies had a much better game scoring 276 for 8 and Bangladesh 280 for 8.

This was a different form of entertainment for the Dominican public and cricket lovers were just happy to have live international cricket being played here in the Nature Isle, Dominica.

As a cricket lover I hope these will be the first of many cricket internationals held in Dominica.

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.

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. “