UWP tells Government speed up electricity restoration via private / public technology driven partnership

UWP tells the DLP government, speed up electricity restoration via public/ private technology driven partnerships, designed to secure the funding, technology and manpower required for climate resilient reconstruction of the energy sector. The September 2017 storm shut down electricity supplies island-wide, with widespread damage to building structures; generation units; hydro-mechanical, electro-mechanical and control equipment, that left the transmission and distribution network with restoration needs estimated at EC$90-million.
 
More than 4 months later, 85% of the consumers across the country are still without electricity. The economy continues to suffer from the inadequate supply of energy to boost strong national revitalization of income earning & employment generating business activities. The DLP administration appears to be leaving it up to the sole private corporation DOMLEC, to determine how and when its resources will allow for a complete restoration of electricity services. The UWP says this approach is ill-advised, and offers the following recommendations:
 
1. A strategic plan for climate resilient rebuilding of Dominica’s energy sector that divides the country into specific zones and sets out a distribution/generation approach for renewable energy utilization in each zone.
2. A partnership between DOMLEC and the state through which government will source the grant funding and soft loan financing required for:
- A) complete restoration of electricity services within six months; and
- B) 100% of Dominica’s electricity requirements to be generated from renewable energy sources by 2023
3. Immediate start of a specialized one-month training program utilizing funding from the National Employment Program (NEP) and technical assistance from DOMLEC and CARILEC to provide at least 200 lines men to meet the manpower needs of restoring and maintaining transmission lines around the country.
4. Immediate commencement of a specialized training program utilizing funding from the National Employment Program and technical assistance from renewable energy experts to provide at least 200 technicians skilled in the basics of setting up hydro, solar and wind energy systems. The UWP strongly urges the DLP administration to adopt these policy measures in the public interest, for full, effective, climate resilient restoration of electricity services without further delay.