OP-ED: The Consumer Reality Turning on the Lights in the Geothermal Era
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What They Promised vs. What We’re Getting
Written By Rhianna Serrant
There is a distinct sound that every Dominican knows too well. It is not the rustle of the trees or the sound of rain falling on a galvanized roof. It is the sudden silence that takes over a home when the lights go out.
The television shuts off. The fan stops turning. The WiFi disappears. Someone reaches for a flashlight, and almost immediately, the same question is asked:
"When will the power come back?"
For months, that silence has often been followed by a familiar explanation: "It is the geothermal testing."
That explanation, however, requires some context. During the commissioning of the geothermal project, Dominica Electricity Company Services (DOMLEC) warned customers that testing and integration of the new geothermal generation and transmission infrastructure could result in unplanned outages. At the same time, DOMLEC has clarified that not every outage experienced during this period was caused by geothermal testing, with some disruptions traced to faults elsewhere on the electricity network (Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. [DOMLEC], 2026a, 2026b).
High in the hills of Laudat, beneath the surface of our volcanic island, a historic project is taking shape. The earth's natural heat is being harnessed to create a new chapter in Dominica's energy story. The geothermal power plant represents more than electricity generation; it represents a vision of energy independence, resilience, and a future where Dominica is less dependent on imported fossil fuels.
The Government of Dominica has described the 10-megawatt Laudat geothermal plant as a major investment intended to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help stabilize and reduce domestic electricity tariffs (Government of Dominica, 2023).
The promise is a powerful one.
We have been told that geothermal energy can transform the way we power our homes, businesses, and communities. We have been told it can reduce our dependence on expensive imported fuel, protect us from global energy price increases, and move us closer to becoming a greener nation (Government of Dominica, 2023; Environmental Coordinating Unit, n.d.).
And as Dominicans, many of us want to believe in that vision.
Because the idea makes sense.
A volcanic island should be able to benefit from the very force beneath its feet.
But while the future sounds promising, many consumers are living in the reality of today.
The average Dominican does not experience energy policy through official statements or project announcements. We experience it through the monthly electricity bill, the food spoiling in the fridge during an outage, the student trying to complete an assignment, the business owner losing income, and the family trying to plan around an unreliable power supply.
For the ordinary consumer, the question is simple:
When will we actually feel the difference?
Development projects often come with big promises. They speak about national transformation, economic growth, and long-term benefits. Those goals matter. But national progress must also reach the everyday lives of citizens.
People want to know:
Will electricity become more affordable?
Will outages become less frequent?
Will small businesses have a more stable environment to operate?
Will families finally feel relief from the financial pressure of energy costs?
These are not unreasonable questions. They are the questions of citizens who want to understand how a major national investment will improve their daily lives.
The promise of lower electricity costs has been part of Dominica's geothermal discussion for years. Government statements have specifically linked geothermal development to reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and lowering electricity costs for consumers (Government of Dominica, 2012, 2022).
It is important to acknowledge that geothermal energy development is not a simple process. Building a geothermal facility requires scientific research, drilling, testing, infrastructure development, transmission upgrades, and careful environmental management. Dominica's project has involved the development of geothermal wells as well as a new transmission network connecting the Roseau Valley to the national grid (Government of Dominica, 2022, 2024).
The road from discovery to reliable electricity generation is complex.
But complexity should not replace communication.
When consumers hear that a geothermal project will change the energy future of the country, they naturally want updates. They want clear information about timelines, progress, challenges, and what they can realistically expect.
Because trust is built when people feel included.
Dominica has always been a nation of resilience. We have rebuilt after storms, adapted through economic challenges, and continued moving forward despite limitations. We understand that progress takes time.
But resilience should not mean that citizens simply accept uncertainty without answers.
A modern energy system requires more than new technology. It requires transparency, communication, and a commitment to ensuring that ordinary people are not left behind while waiting for the promised benefits.
The geothermal era represents an exciting opportunity for Dominica. It could become a symbol of innovation and sustainability in the Caribbean. It could show what is possible when a small island nation invests in its natural resources and its future.
The project has already moved beyond the early development stages. In March 2026, DOMLEC reported that geothermal generators had been started and loaded and that sections of the new transmission system had been energized as commissioning continued (DOMLEC, 2026c). By April, the plant had reportedly reached 90 percent of its designed output, with more than 60 percent of consumers being supplied with renewable energy according to DOMLEC's announcement (Dominica News, 2026).
But the success of this project will not only be measured by the machinery underground or the megawatts produced.
It will be measured by the experience of the people above ground.
The Independent Regulatory Commission has also recognized the importance of the transition for consumers, with the Commission continuing work on electricity tariffs as the country moves into a new phase of its electricity sector (Independent Regulatory Commission, 2026).
The true test of energy independence is not only whether we can generate power; it is whether Dominicans can finally trust that the lights will stay on, the bills will become manageable, and the benefits of progress will reach every household.
Because development is not just about what we build.
It is about who feels the difference.
References
Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (2026a). DOMLEC update on geothermal transition. Nature Isle News.DOMLEC update on geothermal transition
Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (2026b). DOMLEC clarifies islandwide power outages in Dominica. Dominica News.DOMLEC clarifies islandwide power outages in Dominica
Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (2026c). DOMLEC update on geothermal transition. Nature Isle News.DOMLEC update on geothermal transition
Dominica News. (2026, May 3). Geothermal plant reaches 90% output in final phase.Dominica News
Environmental Coordinating Unit. (n.d.). Low carbon development path (LCDP). Government of Dominica.Environmental Coordinating Unit
Government of Dominica. (2012). Statement by H.E. Mr. Vince Henderson Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Commonwealth of Dominica at the general debate of the sixty-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly.Government of Dominica
Government of Dominica. (2022). Budget address 2022–2023: Geothermal development.Government of Dominica
Government of Dominica. (2023, December 6). Government of Dominica signs agreement for development of geothermal power plant. Office of the Prime Minister.Office of the Prime Minister
Government of Dominica. (2024, April 26). Government to seek parliamentary approval for financing of electricity transmission network. Office of the Prime Minister.Office of the Prime Minister
Independent Regulatory Commission. (2026). News and insights.Independent Regulatory Commission