Sampling in Dominica confirms geothermal reservoir

The West Indies Power (Dominica) Ltd (WIPD) has indicated that initial studies to determine the geothermal origin of gases emanating from the Sulfur Springs in Soufriere have all been positive.


The tests were conducted in December of 2008, in which a survey was done to determine if the gases and waters were of geothermal origin or just rainwater that had been heated by the underlying hot rocks. The samples were later analyzed at the University of Rochester in the United States and at the California State University, San Bernadino, USA.


The survey which was conducted by geologists, Joe LaFleur, Mike Krahmer, and Makeda Warner, along with West Indies Power (Dominica) Ltd’s field Managers Paul Toulon and Alan Toussaint focused on gases and waters from the geothermal features in the Soufriere area.

Kerry McDonald, CEO of West Indies Power (Dominica), stated: “The results of this sampling scientifically proves that there is a geothermal reservoir underlying the Soufriere area. West Indies Power (Dominica) Ltd. next step is to locate and drill sites so that it can determine the size and quality of the geothermal reservoir here in Soufriere”.


In July 2008, the government of Dominica granted a license to the Russian owned WIPD to conduct geothermal exploration and development work in the Southern part of Dominica. At the time, Gregory de Gannes, Chairman of West Indies Power Holdings BV, the parent company of WIPD observed that “the geothermal resources of Dominica will now be developed by a Caribbean company which is committed to generating reliable, low cost electricity, from a renewable resource to the people of Dominica and in a timely manner."


The company says that the surveys will be followed by geophysical work all of which will allow WIPD to pin point the sites where it should drill to confirm and evaluate the geothermal resources in the Soufriere region.