Dominica hoping for assistance from Clinton Foundation for geothermal boost

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the government has spent more than EC$33 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) in developing the geothermal industry.

ROSEAU, Dominica, Friday January 4, 2013 – Dominica says it is hoping to sign later this year an agreement with the US-based Clinton Climate Initiative on the further developing the geothermal energy sector programme here.

The island’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vince Henderson, speaking on the state-owned DBS radio on Thursday night, said the Clinton Foundation has shown support for the multi-million dollar programme.

“We were able to get the interest and support of the Clinton Climate Initiative as part of the Clinton Foundation to provide assistance to Dominica...in the development of its geothermal resources and that process has been ongoing six months ago and we hoping to conclude some of our discussions by this year.

“That holds great promise for Dominica. We are looking forward to 2013 to really finalising some agreement that will see the exploration of our geothermal resources that will result definitely in a reduction in the cost of energy to consumers that by 2015 that we could get the plant on line,” he added.

Henderson said that the Roosevelt Skerrit government hopes that by 2015, the geothermal plant would also reduce the island’s green house gas emissions.

“Futherer down the road we have to look forward to the exportation of electric energy to Martinique and Guadeloupe via sea cables,” he added.

Last month, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the government has spent more than EC$33 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) in developing the geothermal industry.

He said investment in the geothermal programme will help the island address a number of issues in the future including a reduction in the energy costs.

“Equally and importantly we will be in a position to export energy to (French islands) Martinique and Guadeloupe with the consequent result being to having an increase in our foreign exchange earnings.”

Skerrit said that this would allow for  greater economic activity on the island “‘and we will see a growth in our economy and we will also see the creation of thousands of jobs within the Dominican economy”. (CMC) Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)