Dominica becomes first Caribbean nation to add geothermal energy to its grid, marking a major renewable energy milestone and reducing reliance on imported fuel.
Dominica: Prime Minister Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit has hailed geothermal energy breakthrough for Dominica, announcing that the country is the first Caribbean nation to intergrade the plant into its grid, a significant milestone for Dominica as it sets precedent for renewable energy development across region.
Prime Minister Skerrit shared this during his official Press Conference last week on Wednesday, June 10, where he was seen addressing and providing updates on key issues of national importance to members of the media and the general public.
In his address, Prime Minister Skerrit highlighted that Dominica is a pioneer in the region in geothermal energy integration. He noted that the plant is still in its commissioning phase with tests, adjustments and system work integration still ongoing before full commercial operations can
Dominica is the first nation in this region to bring geothermal energy onto its national grid. And being first means we are walking a path no one before us has walked, announced Prime Minister Skerrit.
He went on to address the power outages in the island, stating that they were contributed by a few technical issues associated with the plant’s testing and integration. He explained that the issues are being identified, addressed and resolved by the technical team and are common throughout the commissioning phase.
Minister Skerrit has urged the citizens of Dominica to remain patient during this phase, noting that once the plant begins full operations, both the country and the consumers will benefit from it.
“I do not minimize the inconvenience these outages have caused. But I ask for people's understanding as the thieving difficulties of these recent weeks are the cost of doing something new. But when this work is complete, we will have lower electricity rates, greater reliability, and a Dominica that is no longer at the mercy of imported fuel to the extent to which we did before,” explained the Minister who further added, “Commissioning a project of this scale requires rigorous testing to ensure that when the plant enters commercial operation, it does so safely, reliably and efficiently.”
Ending his address, the National Leader concluded by reiterating the Government’s commitment to advancing initiatives that foster sustainability and long-term development and prosperity.