Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC) General Manager Dave Stamp has announced that the installation of a government-procured 4.8-megawatt generator is currently about thirty percent complete. This significant development comes in response to persistent load-shedding outages experienced during the summer of 2023, which were triggered by damage to DOMLEC’s hydro pipeline in Laudat caused by a fallen tree. The damage resulted in a substantial reduction in the company’s generation capacity, necessitating load-shedding measures to manage the limited supply.
In addition to the ongoing installation of the new 4.8-megawatt generator, DOMLEC has already been operating two 3-megawatt generators, which were part of the government’s initiative announced in November. This procurement aims to address the company’s capacity shortfall and improve the reliability of power supply.
Recent reports of outages affecting several communities further highlighted the urgency of this project. On July 10, technical issues at the generating plant in the North led to additional outages. In response, DOMLEC released a daily load-shedding schedule for each district. By July 16, General Manager Stamp provided an update on the most critical project for DOMLEC’s capacity management, detailing the three essential ‘packages’ involved in the installation of the new generator.
The first package includes the importation of equipment such as three 1.6-megawatt high-speed diesel units, along with cooling, exhaust, and high-voltage systems. The second package focuses on constructing a suitable facility for housing the units, as outdoor installation is not feasible. The third package, which Stamp emphasized as crucial, involves the development of a comprehensive fuel system. This project is supported by a dedicated team working across technical, financial, and other essential areas.
Currently, the Freshwater Lake at Laudat, a primary source of hydroelectric power, is operating at less than fifty percent of its optimal depth of 8.5 meters. Despite high rainfall from Hurricane Beryl and other weather systems, challenges with catchment and rainfall persist. Nevertheless, Stamp assured that DOMLEC anticipates completing the generator installation by the end of October 2024.
