Outdoor power station factory in Dominica

Will a geothermal power plant be able to meet Dominica's peak electricity demand?

It should initially generate enough power to meet half of Dominica's peak electricity demand, says Fred John, managing director of the government-owned Dominica Geothermal Development Company, which is also involved in the scheme.

Will a geothermal plant reduce electricity bills in Dominica?

The government also says that the geothermal plant will reduce electricity bills. And it is not just Dominica (not to be confused with the similarly named Dominican Republic), that is set to benefit. Long-term plans include exporting surplus electricity via undersea cables to neighbouring islands.

How long will Ormat's Dominica power plant last?

Ormat will operate the Dominica plant for 20 years before handing it over to state electricity provider Domlec. Mr Blachar estimates it will employ around 30 local people when it comes on stream later this year.

Will Dominica eliminate the need for diesel power by 2030?

The used steam will then be cooled to the point where it becomes water again, and reinjected back underground for the process to restart. "We hope to totally eliminate the need for diesel generation for electricity in Dominica by 2030," Dominica's energy minister Dr Vince Henderson tells the BBC.

How much did the Dominican government invest in a new electricity system?

It has certainly been several years in the making with the Dominican government alone said to have invested around $15m (£11.3m). Dr Henderson admits that the project is "not easy" for a country that "faced a big challenge" when it had to substantially repair its electricity network after 2017's Hurricane Maria.

Will Dominica's new geothermal plant harm the Roseau Valley?

Yet despite geothermal's green credentials, Dominica's new plant has raised concerns among some local residents, including environmentalist Atherton Martin who fears for the effects on the ecologically valuable Roseau Valley.