Geothermal Energy Potential in Volcanic Caribbean Region

The Lesser Antilles Island arc extends 850 km along the eastern edge of the Caribbean Plate. The islands have been largely built by volcanism above a subduction zone, as the Atlantic Plate is being subducted under the Caribbean Plate. There are at least 19 potentially “active” volcanoes in the Lesser Antilles. The thermal energy of these volcanic islands makes them of interest for geothermal exploration.

Although geothermal resources are abundant on several of the islands, apart from Guadeloupe which has a 4.5 MWe binary plant, geothermal development is still in the early stages for several reasons:

1. Geothermal development is not a priority in the energy policies of the island governments. Traditionally, the islands have depended on diesel generation, with the exceptions of Dominica and St.Vincent which use hydroelectric power.

2. None of the countries have geothermal laws; many do not have laws for the regulation of the electricity sector in particular.

3. Limited financing and the high cost of geothermal exploration has held back the projects in the feasibility stage.

4. There are no economic incentives for geothermal development.

5. The population, and consequently the markets, of the islands are small.

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