Tremendous potential for geothermal utilisation in the Caribbean
Site of Well MON-01, Montserrat, Caribbean (source: Montserrat government)
Alexander Richter
3 Nov 2015
New report highlights tremendous geothermal potential in the Caribbean, while likely grossly overstating the developable geothermal power generation capacity.
In a recent report by the Worldwatch Institute, the potential for geothermal energy utilisation in the Caribbean is highlighted. While stating the overall potential at around 6,280 MW, which sounds way to much and might simply translate in developable MW numbers, it still showcases the untapped potential. The current installed power generation capacity in the countries of CARICOM is about 5,800 MW of which around 2,400 MW are installed in Trindidad and Tobago alone. So even if one would only take one tenth of the quoted potential for geothermal it still would present a great opportunity, replacing fossil fuel based power generation, cleaning up electricity generation and make the island states energy independent.
In its Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS) Baseline Assessment and Report, is the first-ever of its kind for the Caribbean, with input from the member countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The report assesses the regional energy situation and makes suggestions for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate mitigation, with targets and next steps.
According to the report, most of the countries in CARICOM own large untapped geothermal resources that could have a tremendous impact on their energy use and possible even export.
The report describes that despite slow development in the countries of CARICOM, geothermal energy provides tremendous opportunities for those member states with high resource potentials, and even for the region as a whole if it can benefit from opportunities for interconnection and trade.
Investment risks, long lead-times, and economies of scale have hampered geothermal exploration in the Caribbean in the past, but several new initiatives indicate that some CARICOM members are close to overcoming these challenges. Geothermal plants are undergoing preliminary construction in St. Kitts and Nevis and in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Exploratory drilling has taken place in Dominica and Montserrat. Meanwhile, Grenada and Saint Lucia are conducting on-site resource assessments and exploring the possibility of commercial-scale extraction.
Although geothermal exploration is ongoing, no projects have been fully developed to take advantage of this tremendous potential observed in the region to date. This does not take into account that there is an operating geothermal power plant in the French territory of Guadeloupe, but likely refers to the member states of CARICOM.
Geothermal developments could drastically change the CARICOM power mix over the medium to long term, but no installed capacity exists. Overall, the rate of additions in renewable capacity has been relatively slow.
The report states an overall potential of 6,280 MW, which might be overally optimistic and beyond what these island states would need.
The report also showcases the cost with different energy technologies and highlights the competitiveness of geothermal for the island states of the CARICOM community.
Source: WorldWatch via Renewable Energy World
