3 FEBRUARY 2012

The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced that it will provide € 1 million in funding preparations for the planning and study of possible electricity exports generated by geothermal energy from the independent English speaking island of Dominica to neighboring Martinique and Guadeloupe, French Overseas Departments in the Caribbean. Water heated to a high temperature by geothermal resources available near the surface uses geothermal energy to generate electricity.

The EIB's support will allow for the evaluation of  a possible northern submarine interconnection from Dominica to Guadeloupe and a second link to Martinique in the south. The project bears the potential to develop a 20MW geothermal power generation plant for local use and a subsequent plant of up to 120 MW for export. 
Once the feasibility of cross-border interconnections is determined, subsequent studies will assess the environmental impact of the planned interconnection and define the characteristics of the sub-sea cables.

By producing their own electricity with a renewable energy resource, away from a primary fossil fuel base, the project aims to provide clean and sustainable energy for all three islands,  while decreasing considerably Dominica's foreign exchange oil bill and residents' energy expenses.
 
Currently, the Government of Dominica, supported by the European Union (EU) and the Agence Française de Développement, is drilling three test wells in Laudat and Wotten-Waven to determine the potential of geothermal resources in the Roseau Valley and plans to build a 5MW test plant.