DOMLEC:
Bringing energy to the nature isle
The small island of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean is sometimes referred to as “the nature isle of the Caribbean” thanks to its awe-inspiring natural beauty. As a relatively young island, it is still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity, which points to the island’s incredible potential in renewable energy. We recently spoke to Dave Stamp, Generation Manager (Acting General Manager at the time of the interview) at Dominica Electricty Company Limited (Domlec) about how the company sees the island’s energy situation evolving Domlec began life in 1949, when it was established by the Colonial Development Corporation (giving some clue into the island’s long colonial past). In 1976, the government of the day purchased 49% of the company’s shares, before buying the remaining shares in 1987. Ten years later, in 1997, the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC)
purchased a ma changing hands sold to the Cana shareholder – in
Shortly before th joins at a time wh journey - the ele has access) and of the island tow Mr. Stamp tells u of production, is The generation 6MW is hydro an
ajority shareholding (approximately 73%). After a couple more times, these shares were then adian Emera Corporation - the current majority 2013.
he Emera takeover, Mr. Stamp joined the firm. He hen the company has just about completed one ectrification of the island (over 95% of the island now seems set to start another – the movement ards using 100% renewable energy sources. As us: “The current energy mix at the firm, in terms s about 30% hydro and 70% diesel generation. capacity of the firm is 27MW, of which about nd the reminder being diesel.�
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DOMLEC’S ENERGY PEROGATIVE:
A move towards sustainability
Dominica is the most sparsely populated island in the Eastern Caribbean, which creates obvious challenges for a company like Domlec. However, the company manages to meet this demand, in addition to having some energy supply in reserve to cater, for example, for the island’s unpredictable hurriane season. Mr.
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Stamp explains: “We operate on an N-2 prinicpal, where we have a firm capacity which we’ve agreed with our regulators. This means that if 2 of our largest generators are in maintenance, we’re still able to meet our obligations.”
While the island’s topography also creates further challenges for infrastructure development, it also brings opportunities for a firm like Domlec. Mr. Stamp tells us: “Dominica’s geothermal potential is extremely high. Most estimates that I’ve seen show that this island has the highest geothermal potential of all the islands in the Eastern Caribbean. The size we’re talking about is anywhere between 500 and 1,000 GW. Wind is another potential avenue – particularly on the island’s leeward eastern side. However, the topography
means that the construction, installation and access to these high wind areas prohibitively expensive for now: Dominica’s GDP per capita is less than $15,000 per year. That said, confident economic growth on the island means that the wind option becomes more possible with every passing year. In short, no sustainable solution is ruled out entirely: “We believe fossil fuels are completely unsustainable for the island, so we’re looking to move towards completely renewable energy by 2025.” Other avenues being looked at by
the firm are even more adventurous. Visitors to the island will be pleasantly surprised by the number of LED lights and energy-efficient devices they find being used in everyday life on the island. Plans are also afoot for the importation of hybrid and fully electric cars. Most of this has come about as part of Domlec’s initiative. Mr. Stamp says: “We are currently championing electric cars on the island. We’re putting the marketing and promotion
side into play. We’re introducing a policy to make all cars in DOMLEC either electric or hybrid. There is a challenge in that not all vehicles come in electric or hybrid forms but we’ll do it whereever possible.” “Also, we’re promoting several energy-efficient devices. We’re going out there with the government and encouraging people to use LED devices and changing street lights to LED. There are a number of inititiaves
like this that we’re chapioning across the island.”
RESOURCES AND SUPPLIERS With less than 100,000 people on the island, one might assume that HR posed considerable difficulty, but not according to Stamp: “Generally speaking, we can provide for human resources from what we have in Dominica. We employ about 200
staff across all our operations. We’re a fully integrated operation, so we have transmission, distribution and customer service. So we do everything from generation right through to billing and so on.” Currently, well over 90% of the staff are Dominican and siince we became part of the ECI (Emera Caribbean Inc) group (a Canadian -Caribbean organization), it has
begun co the organ which ha The lack o airport fo respect t chain man the island part of the managem
Domlec h in place West Ind – in both requireme suppliers technical engines), maintena and Bridg provides
ollaborating with other affiliates of nization, including sharing resources, as been a very productive strategy. of a large port facility or international or example has been an issue with o facster and more efficient supply nagement until now, but once which d is addressing better thanks to being e ECI I and improving its supply chain ment.
has supply contract arrangements with local providers like RUBIS ies and Petro Caribe Energy Union h cases to supply the island’s diesel ents. In more technical areas, its include RIMCO (spares parts and assistance for the island’s CAT Man B&W Diesel (who provide ance for the island’s MAN engines) geWell Resources, a US firm that it with poles.
THE JOURNEY TO 2025 The fact that Dominica and Domlec are so determined to reach 100% clean energy inside 10 years is an example to many larger and wealthier countries, who instead plan for incremental changes year on year. Domlec acquired two operating licenses for the country’s energy plants just recently and both extend for 25 years. Mr. Stamp says: “We’re in ongoing discussions with the government to see how the geothermal plant can be developed, integrated into the existing grid, and the management of the operations. . It would also give us an opportunity to meet some of our mandates, where we need to substantially increase our renewable portfolio/mix ” Fifty years after the old energy plants run by British colonialists on the island closed down, their remains can still be seen. They point to the island’s complicated past and dependence on dirty energy. Now, the signs of a confident, sustainable future - electric cars, geothermal energy, LED street lights and smart grids – are everywhere. Thanks to Domlec, Dominica will generate energy while remaining the nature isle of the Caribbean.
Dominica Electricity Services P.O, Box 1593, 18 Castle Street Roseau, Dominica enquiries@domlec.dm 767-255-6000 http://www.domlec.dm/
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