The government of Dominica signed a transnational agreement today with the French Caribbean islands for the execution of a project under the EU-funded “Geothermal Energy in the Caribbean Islands” project.

The project, which builds upon the results of a 2005 OAS-funded study, proposes to demonstrate the geothermal energy potential on Dominica, which if proven is expected to support the implementation of 100MW of geothermal capacity over the next 5 years. 

This capacity would be sufficient to supply five times Dominica’s current electricity needs, with the surplus available for export, via submarine transmission cable, to Guadeloupe and Martinique.  Implementation of 100MW of geothermal power would significantly reduce the cost of Dominica’s electricity and would reduce Dominica’s total greenhouse gas emissions by over a third.

Minister for Energy Charles Savarin referred to the signing as a “landmark moment” in the country’s history. 

The other parties to the agreement are the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, the Regional Council of Martinique, the French Agency for Environment and Energy Management and the French Geological Survey.

Sources: Caribbean Net News, A Virtual Dominica

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