| Abstract |
Geothermal phenomena in the 11 volcanic Eastern Caribbean islands comprise active and dormant volcanoes, fumaroles, hot springs, mud pots, and altered ground areas. The reason for the existence of these features is the westward subduction of the Atlantic crustal plate beneath the Caribbean plate. Subsurface geothermal temperatures in the region range from tepid to 214C as measured in wells drilled near Soufriere, St. Lucia in the 1980s. On Guadeloupe, resource temperatures are adequate for the use of a double flash power cycle at the 15 MW La Bouillante project. Since 2004, geothermal exploration has accelerated in the region. In 2004 and 2005, the Organization of American States (OAS) funded a program that included geologic, geochemical, and geophysical studies on Nevis, reinterpretation of geophysical data on St. Lucia, and detailed geologic and geochemical work in the Wotton Waven, Dominica area. Additionally, OAS provided geothermally-relevant legal and institutional assistance to these three nations. In 2008, West Indies Power initiated exploration on the western flanks of Mt. Nevis. Three small diameter wells were drilled, about 3.7 km apart, to depths of more than 1 km at which levels recorded temperatures were in excess of 225C. There was also some attendant steam production. Plans are to drill production scale wells in 2009, to build a 35 MW power plant, and to export power to nearby St. Kitts. In late 2008, the Government of Dominica signed agreements for exploration, development, and export of power with the French for their Wotton Waven project and with West Indies Power for a project in the Galion-Soufriere area. Currently several private entities are negotiating for the acquisition of similar agreements with the governments of Saba, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada. Utilization of thermal fluids has not increased significantly in the islands since 2005. It is thus limited to low temperature balneological facilities built on Nevis, St. Lucia, and Grenada. |