The Dominica Geothermal Development Company (DGDC) has reported significant progress on the country’s geothermal energy project, with major components of the transmission infrastructure expected to be completed by November this year.
Managing Director of the Dominica Geothermal Development Company, Fred John, said the project has advanced considerably and is now in its final stages of development. According to John, one of the major components of the initiative, the 10-megawatt geothermal power plant at Laudat, has already been completed and has been undergoing commissioning for several months.
John explained that while the power plant itself is operational, additional infrastructure is required to deliver electricity from the facility to consumers across the island.
“The other part is construction of an electricity transmission network to take the power from this power plant to bring it to Fond Cole, from where DOMLEC will distribute it to consumers,” he stated.
He noted that one of the transmission lines linking Laudat to Fond Cole has already been completed. However, work continues on several substations, which contain specialized equipment necessary to convert and regulate electricity before distribution.
John said one substation at Fond Cole is already operational, while the remaining substations are currently under construction and are expected to be completed by November.
Meanwhile, General Manager of DOMLEC, Dwayne Cenac, has appealed to customers for patience as the geothermal commissioning process continues, acknowledging the frustration caused by recent power outages experienced across the island.
“We understand the nature of the service that we offer. It’s an essential service, nothing to be taken lightly,” Cenac said, while apologizing to customers for disruptions experienced during the transition period.
Cenac explained that integrating geothermal energy into the national electricity grid represents a major transformation for the country’s energy sector and inevitably presents technical challenges.
He stressed, however, that the long-term benefits of the project will far outweigh the temporary inconveniences, noting that the country will become less dependent on imported fossil fuels and increasingly reliant on indigenous renewable energy resources.
The geothermal energy project forms a central component of Dominica’s climate resilience and sustainable development strategy. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to reduce electricity generation costs, improve energy security and significantly lower the country’s dependence on imported fuel.
Officials have indicated that despite recent challenges associated with commissioning and grid integration, the project remains on schedule and is steadily progressing toward full commercial operation.
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