Dominica, an island in the Caribbean known for its lush rainforests, waterfalls, and volcanic activity, is making significant strides toward sustainable energy. In 2023, the island welcomed nearly 84,000 visitors, marking a 13% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to new direct flights from the United States and the opening of additional hotels. As the island recovers from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the government is focusing on harnessing its natural resources to provide clean electricity for its 66,000 residents and the tourism sector.

To reduce its dependence on diesel generators, Dominica is constructing a geothermal power plant in the southern part of the island. This facility will tap into natural underground reservoirs of boiling water, heated by volcanic rock, to generate electricity. The 10-megawatt plant, located near the village of Laudat in the Roseau Valley, is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The process involves drawing steam to the surface to power turbines, after which the steam is cooled and reinjected underground to continue the cycle. The energy minister, Dr. Vince Henderson, aims to eliminate diesel-generated electricity by 2030 and believes the geothermal plant will also lower electricity costs.

The geothermal project is a collaboration between the Dominican government and Ormat Technologies, a US-Israeli renewable energy company. The initiative is being funded through a combination of grants and investments from various governments, including those of the US, UK, Japan, and New Zealand, as well as loans from the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank. The project has required significant investment and a complex exploration process, including deep drilling to assess the geothermal resource.

Despite its potential benefits, the geothermal plant has raised concerns among some local residents and environmentalists. Atherton Martin, an environmentalist, has expressed worries about the ecological impact on the Roseau Valley, particularly regarding the loss of vegetation and wildlife during the exploration phase. Additionally, some community members have questioned the financial costs associated with the project, which has seen the Dominican government invest around $15 million. Dr. Henderson acknowledges the challenges faced in developing this project but remains optimistic about its long-term benefits.

The geothermal power plant is not only significant for Dominica but also serves as a model for other Caribbean nations. Ormat's chief executive, Doron Blachar, envisions the Caribbean becoming a hub for geothermal technology. The facility is expected to employ around 30 locals once operational and will initially supply half of Dominica's peak electricity demand. The success of this project could inspire neighboring islands to pursue renewable energy sources, contributing to a regional energy grid that promotes clean and affordable energy across the Caribbean.

Original news source: Letting off steam: How Dominica's volcanoes will boost its green energy (BBC)

– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide students into small groups. Each group will take turns acting out key terms or concepts from the article (e.g., geothermal energy, sustainable energy, hurricane recovery) without speaking, while the other groups guess the words. This will help reinforce vocabulary related to the topic.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Have students walk around the classroom and ask their classmates about their opinions on the geothermal power plant. They can ask questions like, "Do you think renewable energy is important for small islands?" or "What are the potential risks of geothermal energy?" Afterward, students will summarize the results and share their findings with the class.
– MIND MAP
Instructions: In pairs, students will create a mind map based on the article. They should write "Dominica's Geothermal Project" in the center and branch out with key ideas such as benefits, concerns, stakeholders, and future implications. After completing the mind map, each pair will present their findings to the class.
– TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
Instructions: Each student will write down three statements related to the article—two must be true and one must be false. They will then share their statements with a partner, who will guess which statement is the lie. Afterward, students can share their statements with the class for further discussion.
– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Students will work in small groups to come up with catchy headlines for the article. They should aim to capture the essence of the article in a few words. After creating their headlines, groups will present them to the class, and everyone will vote on the most engaging one.

Dominica, an island in the Caribbean known for its lush rainforests, waterfalls, and ? activity, is making significant strides toward sustainable energy. In 2023, the island welcomed nearly 84,000 visitors, marking a 13% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to new direct flights from the United States and the opening of additional hotels. As the island recovers from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the government is focusing on harnessing its natural resources to provide clean ? for its 66,000 residents and the tourism ?. To reduce its dependence on ? generators, Dominica is constructing a geothermal power plant in the southern part of the island. This facility will tap into natural underground reservoirs of boiling ?, heated by volcanic rock, to generate electricity. The 10-megawatt plant, located near the village of Laudat in the Roseau Valley, is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The process involves drawing steam to the surface to power ?, after which the steam is cooled and reinjected underground to continue the cycle. The ? minister, Dr. Vince Henderson, aims to eliminate diesel-generated electricity by 2030 and believes the geothermal plant will also lower electricity costs. The geothermal project is a collaboration between the Dominican government and Ormat Technologies, a US-Israeli renewable energy company. The ? is being funded through a combination of grants and investments from ? governments, including those of the US, UK, Japan, and New Zealand, as well as loans from the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank. The project has required significant investment and a complex ? process, including deep drilling to assess the geothermal resource. Despite its potential ?, the geothermal plant has raised concerns among some local residents and environmentalists. Atherton Martin, an environmentalist, has expressed worries about the ecological impact on the ? Valley, particularly regarding the loss of vegetation and wildlife during the exploration phase. Additionally, some community members have questioned the financial costs associated with the project, which has seen the ?n government invest around $15 million. Dr. Henderson acknowledges the challenges faced in developing this project but remains optimistic about its long-term benefits. The geothermal ? plant is not only significant for Dominica but also serves as a model for other Caribbean nations. Ormat's chief executive, ? Blachar, envisions the Caribbean becoming a hub for geothermal technology. The facility is expected to employ around 30 locals once operational and will initially supply half of Dominica's peak electricity demand. The success of this project could inspire neighboring islands to ? renewable energy sources, contributing to a regional energy grid that promotes clean and affordable energy across the Caribbean.

1. What is a sustainable energy source that you believe is most important for the future? Why?
2. How would you feel if your country decided to invest heavily in renewable energy projects?
3. Do you like the idea of using geothermal energy for electricity? Why or why not?
4. What is a challenge you think countries face when transitioning to renewable energy?
5. How do you think tourism impacts the environment in places like Dominica?
6. Do you think it is worth investing significant funds in renewable energy projects, even if there are risks involved? Why?
7. What is a personal experience you have had with environmental conservation or renewable energy?
8. How would you feel if a major development project was proposed in your community, similar to the geothermal plant in Dominica?
9. Do you think local communities should have a say in large-scale energy projects? Why or why not?
10. What is a benefit of using geothermal energy that you find most compelling?
11. How do you think climate change affects small island nations like Dominica?
12. Do you believe that the Caribbean can become a leader in renewable energy technology? Why or why not?
13. How would you feel if your country had to choose between economic growth and environmental protection?
14. What is a renewable energy source that you think is underutilized in your country? Why?
15. Do you think the global community is doing enough to support small nations in their efforts to adopt renewable energy? Why or why not?

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