The Energy Transition in Dominica

Dominica’s energy transition is strongly aligned with its broader goal of becoming the world’s first climate-resilient nation, a strategy reinforced following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017. The island’s current energy mix remains reliant on imported diesel, but its significant geothermal potential underpins national plans to reduce fossil fuel dependence and strengthen energy security. The Dominica Geothermal Development Project, supported by funding from the World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, and international partners, aims to provide reliable, renewable baseload power and export capacity to neighbouring islands via submarine cables. Alongside geothermal, solar PV and small-scale hydropower are included in Dominica’s renewable energy strategy, outlined within the National Resilience Development Strategy 2030. There is no domestic production of critical minerals, with the country fully dependent on imports for key materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements essential for renewable technologies and battery storage. Challenges include financing constraints, disaster risks, and grid modernisation needs, but opportunities lie in geothermal development, distributed renewables, and regional energy integration. Dominica’s clear focus on resilience and renewable energy positions it as a potential leader in sustainable energy within the Eastern Caribbean.