"The geothermal reservoir that exists between Spring Hill and Hamilton Estates contains several hundred megawatts of geothermal production capacity," WIP's Chef Executive Officer (CEO) Kerry McDonald confirmed soon after the passage of Hurricane Omar late last week.
 
The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) gave the WIP the authority to explore the geothermal reservoir of the island in February 2007, in its efforts to provide cheaper electricity and reduce the cost of living for citizens. Junior Minister with responsibility for Public Utilities and the Environment, Carlisle Powell said that WIP's latest discovery proved that the NIA was on the right track.
 
"Obviously we are elated as a people, as a government. We are happy for West Indies Power...This really means that we are on the right road, that we will very shortly be able to produce power for the people of Nevis and this is just another in our quest to reduce the cost of living in Nevis," he said.
 
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ernie Stapleton, equated the discovery of geothermal energy on Nevis to that of oil, and maintained that the resource would provide a cheap energy platform which would elevate Nevis' economic development.
 
General Manager of WIP Rawlinson Isaac said that according to the experts, WIP would be able to deliver on its promise to deliver geothermal power in 2010. He disclosed that a production rig was already on its way to the island.

Ends