Hon. Minister of Energy Paul Lewis said in last week’s parliamentary session that his government remains committed to the geothermal project.
In response to questions posed by the Hon. Opposition member Dr Samuel Joseph, the minister said that the Department for International Development (DFID) was currently in negotiation with Iceland Drilling Company (IDC) to complete the drilling and testing of the third geothermal well.
An initial contract for drilling the third well was signed in April 2016. Work on Mon#3 was halted after a partial collapse in 2017. Minister Lewis did not explain what caused DFID to take the project negotiation and management lead for the third well, when the Government of Montserrat had already successfully completed the first two wells with the same company.
The minister also shared that the government has completed the Early Market Engagement (EME) process for constructing a geothermal surface plant. He said the “findings will be discussed with relevant authorities and DFID”, adding the people of Montserrat will have an opportunity to learn the results of the EMEs once that is done.
From the Global Geothermal News archives:
- Tuesday, January 23, 2018 - Montserrat: Drilling of Third Well at Geothermal Power Project to Recommence Shortly
- Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - Montserrat: Exergy Looking to Progress with ORC Geothermal Energy Project
- Wednesday, November 30, 2016 - Montserrat: Call for Private/Public Partnership to Develop Geothermal Energy Resources
- Tuesday, November 22, 2016 - Montserrat: Drilling for Third Geothermal Well Reaches Production Zone
- Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - Montserrat: Geothermal Project Drilling Rig Arrives
