West Indies Power was a geothermal power company registered in 2001 in the Netherlands Antilles and with the head office in Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis. It conducted studies on geothermal power projects in Nevis, Saba and Dominica.[1][2][3]
Projects at Nevis
editAt Nevis, West Indies Power had two geothermal projects.[4][5] In February 2007, the Nevis Island Administration issued a license to West Indies Power for exploration of the geothermal resource of Nevis. West Indies Power commenced explorations at the same month.[6] On 29 April 2009, a geothermal contract was signed with the Nevis Island Administration and a power purchase agreement was signed with the Nevis Electricity Company Ltd.[7]
In 2014, the Nevis Island Administration terminated the geothermal contract, citing the lack of actual progress made, making way for a new group planning to develop the project.[8] As of 2020, the Nevis geothermal project is co-developed between NRE International Inc (NREI) and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA).[9]
The Nevis 1 project was located at Spring Hill. The drilling at Spring Hill commenced in January 2008.[4] The geothermal reservoir at Spring Hill was discovered on 2 June 2008 and the geotechnical work started in July 2008.[1] The Nevis 1 plant was to supply 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to fulfill all of Nevis' demand (approximately 10 MW) as also to export to neighboring Saint Kitts and other nearby islands via submarine electrical transmission cables.[4][10]
The Nevis 2 project was located at Upper Jessups Village in the St. Thomas Parish.[1] The drilling started on 24 June 2008.[5]
Project in Dominica
editThe Government of Dominica awarded geothermal exploration and development license to West Indies Power (Dominica) Ltd. on 10 July 2008.[3] In August 2011, it received an approval for exploratory drilling in the Soufrière Valley.[11]
The company was accused of paying bribes to the Dominican government in exchange for securing the license.[12]
Project in Saba
editIn Saba, West Indies Power developed geothermal power plant with capacity of 75 MW.[2]
Structure
editThe parent company, West Indies Power Holdings B.V., was registered in the Netherlands Antilles.[6] It had offices in Charlestown, Nevis, and in Roseau, Dominica. West Indies Power operated through its subsidiaries West Indies Power (Nevis) Ltd., West Indies Power (Dominica) Ltd. and West Indies Power (Saba) B.V.
Management
editThe chief executive officer of West Indies Power Holding was Kerry McDonald. The general manager of West Indies Power (Nevis) Ltd. was Rawlinson Isaac and the chief operations officerand head of drilling operations was Bobby Tinsley.[6][13] The chief finance officer was Dimitrijus Apockinas.[12]
Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov is reported to have a stake in the company.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c "West Indies Power moves to second geothermal drill site on Nevis". SKNVibes.com. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
- ^ a b "Saba close to launching geothermal project". Daily Herald. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
- ^ a b "Geothermal exploration begins in Dominica". Green Island Inc. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
- ^ a b c "Geothermal development drilling begins on Nevis". Caribbean Net News. 23 January 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
- ^ a b "West Indies Power (Nevis) begins drilling second geothermal development well". Green Island Inc. 24 June 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
- ^ a b c "NIA gives nod to West Indies Power Holdings Ltd". SKNVibes.com. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
- ^ "Nevis Government free from geothermal contract with West Indies Power; plans afoot to continue development with other interested parties" (Press release). Nevis Island Administration. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2021 – via SKNVibes.com.
- ^ Rojas, Francisco (2 July 2014). "West Indies Power looses appeal on termination of lease in Nevis". Think GeoEnergy - Geothermal Energy News. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ Djunisic, Sladjana (24 February 2020). "Albioma joins 10-MW geothermal project on Nevis island". Renewables Now. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ "Will Nevis be the CAaribbean's first green island?". Green Island Inc. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
- ^ "West Indies Power receives government's approval for geothermal drilling in Soufriere". Dominica News Online. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ a b c Fontaine, Thomson (6 December 2011). "Dominica bank owner arrested in London on fraud and money laundering charges". The Dominican.net. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
- ^ "Geothermal energy drilling in Nevis draws local interest". Sun St. Kitts & Nevis. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
External links
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