Northern Geothermal Zone

The Northern Geothermal Zone represents the second and most ambitious phase of Dominica’s geothermal journey. While the South-Central zone (Roseau Valley) is currently focused on achieving national energy self-sufficiency and stabilising domestic electricity tariffs, the Northern Zone, situated primarily in the Penville and Portsmouth regions, is being developed as a massive industrial engine. As of early 2026, this zone has shifted from a theoretical exploration site to a centrepiece of Dominica’s Green Hydrogen ambitions. Geologically, it is a high-temperature field with an estimated potential of 250-400 MW, a capacity far exceeding the island’s domestic needs, thereby positioning Dominica as a potential global exporter of green commodities.

Unlike the domestic-focused wells in the south, the Northern Geothermal Zone is specifically earmarked for the creation of a Green Eco-Industrial Park. This project, facilitated by partnerships with international firms like Kenesjay Green Limited (KGL) and GRG Energy, aims to utilise the vast geothermal energy to power large-scale electrolysis. By splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using geothermal electricity, Dominica plans to produce between 27,000 and 30,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. This hydrogen can then be further processed into green ammonia or methanol, commodities increasingly sought by the global shipping and agricultural sector as carbon-neutral alternatives to fossil fuels.

1. Strategic Objectives of the Northern Zone

• Industrial-Scale Decarbonization: The primary goal is to provide the energy baseline for a high-output green hydrogen and ammonia industry, moving beyond simple power generation into advanced chemical manufacturing.
• Maritime Shore Power: Utilizing the proximity to the Portsmouth harbor, the zone is designed to provide renewable shore power, allowing cruise ships and cargo vessels to switch off their diesel engines while docked, drastically reducing local air pollution.
• Economic Diversification: The Northern Zone aims to create a new Orange and Green economic corridor, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into tech-heavy sectors that provide high-paying technical jobs for Dominican engineers and TVET graduates.
• Energy Export via Commodities: Because subsea cable connections to neighbouring islands are logistically complex, the Northern Zone focuses on exporting energy in the form of liquid green hydrogen and ammonia transported by specialised tankers.

The development of the Northern Geothermal Zone also serves a critical role in the socio-economic revitalisation of the north. By centring this industrial park near Portsmouth, the government is effectively decentralising the economy away from the capital, Roseau. This transition is supported by the ongoing construction of the International Airport project, which will facilitate the rapid movement of technical experts and investors into the northern corridor. The zone also leverages unique natural phenomena, such as the Cold Soufrière, which, while a popular tourist site, serves as a surface indicator of the massive hydrothermal reservoir beneath the volcanic crust.

The project has moved into the pre-feasibility and initial drilling phase for the industrial wells. The Green Hydrogen Roadmap, developed in late 2025, has provided the legal and fiscal framework necessary to protect Dominican interests while offering competitive incentives to private developers. This ensures that the wealth generated from the Northern Geothermal Zone directly funds national resilience projects and social services.

Key Technical and Strategic Milestones

• Framework Agreement Signing: The official partnership between the Government of Dominica and Kenesjay Green was solidified, unlocking the pathway for the $100M+ industrial park investment.
• Reservoir Modeling Completion: Recent studies by GRG Energy have confirmed that the Northern field maintains a stable, high-pressure steam reservoir capable of sustaining multi-decade industrial operations.
• Green Ammonia Pre-Feasibility: Completed in mid-2025, this study confirmed the financial viability of exporting Dominican-made ammonia to European and Asian markets.
• Port Infrastructure Integration: Planning has begun for specialized cryogenic loading facilities at the northern deep-water ports to handle the storage and export of liquid green energy products.

The ultimate vision for the Northern Geothermal Zone is to transform Dominica into the Caribbean’s Green Industrial Hub. By 2030, the government anticipates that the revenue from this zone alone could surpass traditional tourism earnings, providing a permanent buffer against the fiscal shocks of climate change. It is a bold statement of intent, proving that a small island nation can lead the world in the transition to a zero-carbon future by leveraging one of its most powerful natural assets: its volcanic heat.