Eavor was recently featured in St Vincent Times regarding a new approach to a geothermal project that was previously shelved due to a lack of economic feasibility and low permeability of the resource. The geothermal project was first introduced in 2014, launched a campaign to commence drilling in 2016, halted in 2019, and was ultimately shelved in 2020.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves in speaking to Parliament in January 2020 regarding the project being canceled, “the conclusion in all of this as provided by the technical persons is that although the results in relation to the permeability have not gone favorably due to the very tight fractures that have limited the permeability, the tested temperatures on the wells were adequate for geothermal power”.
Recent talks with Eavor and the government of St. Vincents and the Grenadines have brought the project back to reality. Through advanced geothermal technology, the issues that previously hindered the project can be overcome whilst delivering on the electrification needs of the islands.
The previous development phases of the project included drilling 3 wells, known as SVG01, SVG02, and SVG03, accumulating a total cost of US $21.5 million. While failed attempts at developing the area into a geothermal power plant, the renewed approach with Eavor brings new life to the area, with tentative plans to begin development within the next two years.
“The initial work they will do will be at their own expense. The team hopes to return in a meaningful way by the end of 2023. There is a possibility in 2024 to start something there, but they want the project to be more than 10, 12, and 15 megawatts. In addition, they want deeper development and to get more resources so that they can develop an industry for hydrogen, and export hydrogen,” Prime Minister Gonsalves said.
Geothermal could be key to clean energy security in the Caribbean, with other renewables facing extreme weather issues that have affected surface technologies. Advanced geothermal technologies offer the opportunity to hone in its energy security.
“The Caribbean wants to become autonomous when it comes to its energy security, resilience, and infrastructure,” says Marit Brommer, executive director of the Germany-based International Geothermal Association (IGA). “And they happen to sit on a volcano.”
“You need a technology that is 24/7, affordable, clean, but also that can be resilient with complicated weather,” says Christiaan Gischler Blanco from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). “Otherwise, you would still need a backup of heavy fuel oil or diesel.”
Read the full article, St. Vincent gov’t re-adopts geothermal venture with Canadian company, on the St. Vincent Times website.
