With the help of the UK Department of International Development (DFID), Montserrat will drill a third well for geothermal exploration. A joint statement by the Government of Montserrat and the DFID on Tuesday announced the award of a £5.1m contract for drilling to the Iceland Drilling Company (IDC). The exploratory well will be located in St. George’s Hill.
Activity on the proposed site has already begun with work starting on site clearance, construction of the drilling pad, fencing, water supply and drainage. The plan is for this third well to be a site where waste water from the first and second wells is for reinjection.
If this newest-well can generate a substantial amount of power for the island, it is likely that either of the previous two sites will be used for the purpose of wastewater reinjection. GoM is currently recruiting its own geothermal programme manager, who will play a critical role in the completion of this drilling phase and in the development of the next phase of power production and distribution and the future of geothermal energy on Montserrat. Whilst the drilling of the 3rd well is being undertaken, The Geothermal Steering Committee will be developing the business case for the next phase of power generation and distribution.
