ROSEAU – The Dominica government on Wednesday said the island was making progress on renewable energy describing the sector as an active base for building resilience in all other sectors.
“We have a national target for power generation of 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy by the year 2030, from domestic renewable energy resources. Part of that responsibility is the promotion and encouragement of greater efficient use of energy and energy services by all consumers in the domestic, commercial, and public sectors,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said.
Addressing the nation on the island’s 43rd anniversary of political independence from Britain, Skerrit said that his administration has recently endorsed an Energy Management Guide, developed with the support of the Clinton Foundation and which is now in wide circulation.
He said the geothermal project is gaining momentum and “we see a clear path to completion of this very important component of our country’s development.
“Civil works in preparation for drilling are underway. A drilling contractor has been selected and a contract will be awarded in the coming weeks. The geothermal development project requires long term vision and investment from the government of Dominica, and we are very encouraged by the progress.”
Skerrit said his government is “very grateful for the extensive support and cooperation” from the people of Laudat, a small village in the interior of the island, and all the partners who have contributed funding and technical support.
“Fellow citizens, as government and citizens we have firmly set ourselves on a path to become a resilient nation. The participation of the private sector is critical if we are to achieve the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient economy.
“To this end, with the support of the Green Climate Fund and other partners, an array of financial instruments and capacity building support are being developed by the government for this key sector, which will also serve to facilitate small businesses, as well as regional and international investors to facilitate our transition.
“We have to be nimble, adaptable, creative, innovative and forward thinking. This is what survival in this new world demands. We are asking the private sector to “think big; think different; do big; do different” – form new partnerships, local, regional and international, diversify and move into the region,” Skerrit told the nation.
He said the Subnational Global Fund, of which Dominica is a participant, has equity financing available for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, regenerative agriculture and nature-based solutions. (CMC)
