Geothermal Developer assures Nevis of 2011 geothermal power delivery

Mr. Kerry McDonald

CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (April 19, 2010) — Chief Executive Officer of West Indies Power Ltd. (WIP) Mr. Kerry McDonald assured Nevisians on Wednesday, that work was on track for the delivery of geothermal power by the first half of 2011. He said work continued behind the scenes despite what looked like non movement on the ground.

Mr. McDonald was at the time updating the status of the geothermal project in an interview with the Department of Information. Mr. Kerry had informed in an earlier press release, that financing for the US$43million project had been secured from Scotia Bank with a guarantee from the Export Import Bank of the United States.

“I know everybody feels that it has been a long time coming but in fact we are moving in the industry at what’s considered lightening speed in getting this. Come next year, in the first half of 2011, the island will be powered by geothermal power.

“If St. Kitts signs their agreements, there will be continuing employment for construction of the power plants necessary to supply St. Kitts also,” he said.

According to Mr. McDonald, equipment was being purchased for the geothermal power plants and a team was at the moment in the United States to evaluate the various drill rigs necessary for the next stage of drilling. Their recommendations were expected by the end of April.

He said based on the recommendation, down payments will be made on the drill rigs then they would be shipped to Nevis. Drilling is slated to commence in the latter part of June.

According to Mr. McDonald, drilling would include a test hole called an injection well at the base of Round Hill. Its purpose would be to test the site to ensure it was a suitable area that water from the geothermal power plant could be returned to the geothermal system, at a safe distance without cooling down the system.