Reduce dependence on fossil fuels, official says
As the world’s economies face a worsening energy crisis, reducing dependence on fossil fuels is the next most logical step to address the myriad of issues enveloping the beleaguered sector.
At the recent celebration of World Consumer Rights Day last week, Dominica’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy Dr. Vince Henderson emphasized the importance of power source alternatives as energy prices continue to go up.
“In Dominica, we experienced a surge in energy prices in 2022 and the projections are that prices may increase throughout 2023,” Henderson said. “These increased product prices affect every aspect of our citizens’ lives from transportation cost to the price of basic food items for their families.”
“We must therefore take action to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” Henderson added.
Henderson’s office also oversees Dominica’s first geothermal plant, which has recently move to another phase of its construction this month as the drilling of the reinjection well commenced several days ago.
“A national energy policy has been developed and is intended to address the needs [of] citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica, to help combat increased energy cost and reduce Dominica’s greenhouse gas emissions in line with the mantra, the Nature Isle of the Caribbean’s efforts to become the first climate resilient nation in the world,” Henderson noted.
The reinjection well is an “integral part of any geothermal power plant,” according to a report by WIC News. The well is 1,500 meters deep, but may change depending on what would be found as drilling continues, which could take up to 28 days.
“The Geothermal development in Dominica has moved to a new stage with the commencement of drilling of the reinjection well on Friday. This well will be drilled to a depth of up to 1500m but may be of a lesser depth depending on what is found as drilling goes along,” Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a tweet.
The Geothermal development in Dominica has moved to a new stage with the commencement of drilling of the reinjection well on Friday. This well will be drilled to a depth of up to 1500m but may be of a lesser depth depending on what is found as drilling goes along#DynamicDominica pic.twitter.com/5hoj9DWAYf
— Roosevelt Skerrit (@SkerritR) March 11, 2023
Dominica’s geothermal plant is a project funded by large organizations and programmes, including the World Bank and one of the world’s oldest Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.
The CBI programme has been the lifeline of most of Dominica’s projects to climate resiliency. Thousands of residential buildings and other important infrastructure have been built in partnership with MMC Development Ltd., a private developing company that has been working closely with the government for several years now after proving its dedication to the cause.