Dominica’s ambitious geothermal energy initiative has reached a pivotal construction phase, with national leaders confirming the project remains firmly on schedule for its critical February power transmission deadline. During an inspection tour of the Laudat facility, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit expressed considerable satisfaction with the advancement of this transformative energy infrastructure project.
The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the February timeline for connecting the geothermal output to Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC), which will subsequently distribute the renewable energy to households and commercial establishments across the nation. Skerrit attributed the project’s consistent progress to the dedicated oversight provided by Energy Minister Dr. Vince Henderson, recognizing his sustained leadership and strategic guidance throughout the development process.
Both government officials praised the collaborative partnership with international geothermal specialist Ormat Technologies. Skerrit characterized the relationship as productive and professional, noting the company’s technical expertise and expressing anticipation for a continued 25-year operational partnership following plant completion.
Energy Minister Henderson echoed these sentiments, describing Ormat as an ‘excellent partner’ despite the inherent complexities of public-private infrastructure contracts. He clarified the division of responsibilities within this partnership framework: the government manages transmission infrastructure development while Ormat oversees plant construction and operations.
Henderson further confirmed the adjusted timeline, with commissioning activities beginning December 2025 and full commercial operations commencing March 2026—representing only a minimal two-month extension from original projections. The Minister emphasized that this achievement demonstrates Dominica’s capacity to successfully execute sophisticated engineering projects.
This geothermal facility, with its 10-megawatt capacity, represents a fundamental component of Dominica’s strategic shift toward sustainable energy independence. The project is widely regarded as crucial infrastructure that will substantially enhance the nation’s energy security and environmental sustainability for decades to come.