Dominica to explore the Caribbean’s ‘first’ industrial-scale geothermal green hydrogen production
The Caribbean’s “first” industrial-scale green hydrogen geothermal project is set to get underway following a new agreement.
The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica signed a framework agreement with the Dominica Geothermal Development Company (DGDC) and Kenesjay Green Dominica Limited (KGDL), harness the country’s geothermal resources for green hydrogen production.
It is hoped green hydrogen and green electricity produced could be used for both export and local consumption.
With less than 300sq. miles of land, the Caribbean Island has potential to develop over 1GW of geothermal capacity, while the government has been exploring a green hydrogen industrial development plan.
The agreement also sets out a roadmap to establish a joint venture company to raise investments and deliver the large-scale geothermal production for green hydrogen complex, which is earmarked to serve as the cornerstone of a Green Eco Industrial Park in Dominica.
Initially, the DGDC – KGDL joint venture would execute activities to de-risk the project, including the sharing of technical resources and capabilities, progressing bankability, engineering, marketability, and other feasibility studies, as well as Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).
Subsequently, the companies will develop an investment framework to guide the joint venture to deliver the project.
In September last year (2022), World Bank Group member IFC and IDB Invest revealed they had partnered with Hydrogène de France (HDF) and Rubis to support the development of Barbados’ first green hydrogen power plant.
Read more: IFC and IDB Invest support plans for green hydrogen plant in Barbados
The Renewstable Barbados project plans to integrate a 50MW solar generation facility with green hydrogen and lithium-ion battery storage that will provide electricity to the Barbadian grid, powering up to 16,000 homes.