In 2025, the Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC) will conduct site visits to assess various electricity generation projects, as part of its mandate to ensure a reliable and adequate electricity supply. The goal of these projects is to build generation capacity to meet the increasing demand for energy nationally, while also reducing the Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation.

 The generation projects are:

1. 4.8-Megawatt (MW) Thermal Leased Generator: A project that will boost generation capacity at DOMLEC’s Fond Cole Plant in the near term. According to DOMLEC, this will be commissioned by the end of February 2025.
2. 6-Megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Fond Cole near the existing thermal station: This project is designed to help DOMLEC better integrate the 10MW Roseau Valley geothermal generation plant into the national grid. It can also assist with any loss of diesel or hydro generation units for maintaining system stability and reliability. The battery system also has black-start capability among other functions for use at the existing Fond Cole thermal power plant.
3. 10-Megawatt Geothermal Power Plant Project at Laudat: This project is designed to bolster Dominica’s energy security, reduce electricity production costs, and significantly lower Dominica’s carbon footprint. Estimates suggest that the island’s geothermal potential could provide electrical power capacity up to 50-times the current peak demand of approximately 18 MW. 

The Government of Dominica’s target, in accordance with United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, is for Dominica to become ‘carbon neutral’ by 2030, through 100% domestic renewable energy production.

On Thursday, January 16^th, 2025, a contingent of IRC personnel carried out its first planned site visit to DOMLEC’s Fond Cole Plant to observe progress on the installation of the lease 4.8-MW generator. DOMLEC’s General Manager, Dwayne Cenac and Generation Manager, Dave Stamp hosted and directed the tour for the IRC’s mission.

Executive Director of the IRC, Justinn Kase expressed satisfaction with the project’s status, so far, and promised that the IRC will make recommendations to address concerns from its observations.  He added: “We regulate the sector, [and] we must ensure DOMLEC has enough capacity; adheres to international safety standards [and] are ready to accommodate the new technology …  as well as ensure the proper operations and maintenance of the traditional generator sets, which run on fossil fuel. We want DOMLEC to ensure that their operation and maintenance is on track and therefore to avoid any extended forced outages as we have seen in the past