Solar atop the Paix Bouche Primary School building.
Solar and battery storage systems provide energy access on and off the grid to ensure reliable electricity flows even during critical disruptions.
The Island of Dominica came one step closer toward its goal of becoming a fully climate-resilient nation with two new solar microgrids. The Dominica Ministry of Education, with support from the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) and RMI, founded as Rocky Mountain Institute, has formally announced the addition of solar power and battery energy storage systems to two primary schools — Morne Prosper and Paix Bouche — which both serve as hurricane shelters.
The microgrids provide 10 kilowatts of solar power and 76 kilowatt-hours of battery energy storage to deliver reliable energy during normal operating hours and during major disruptions such as hurricanes.
The Dominica Schools Microgrid Project consisted of the rebuilding of Morne Prosper Primary School and Paix Bouche Primary School, which were severely damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017, and the installation of resilient energy systems at the schools to provide safe learning environments for their students and reliable hurricane shelters for the communities.
CLF and RMI provided funding and technical assistance for this project in close partnership with local community members. This included engaging the communities to build lasting knowledge of the direct benefits of solar and batter energy storage systems. The Dominica Schools Microgrid Project serves as a proof point for how solar and storage systems can preserve community vibrancy by bolstering energy resilience amid intensifying climate-induced hurricanes.
“We hope that by spotlighting this momentous occasion, and through the regional attention this project has already received (at the 2023 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum [CREF] awards), this will be a catalyst for investing in greater initiatives focused on climate and energy resilience, both nationally and throughout the Caribbean region,” said Ije Ikoku Okeke, managing director of RMI’s Catalytic Climate Capital (C3) and Global South programs.
"One of our primary goals was to showcase how successful stakeholder collaboration can support the building of a more resilient environment and scaling clean energy," said Krystle Francis, who serves as director of programs (Caribbean) for CLF. "And not just in Dominica, but also in the broader region. It is our hope that the project has the ability to direct more focus to other entities for funding of similar projects throughout the Caribbean."
The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) was founded in 2012 by Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. CLF invests in climate justice and climate resilience initiatives in the Caribbean & United States and helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters.
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Roseau Valley, Dominica – The island of Dominica is one step closer to its goal of becoming a completely climate-resilient country with two new solar microgrids. Dominica’s Ministry of Education has officially announced the addition of solar energy and battery energy storage systems to two elementary schools – Morne Prosper and Paix Bouche – with support from the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) and RMI, founded as the Rocky Mountain Institute. both serve as hurricane shelters.
Microgrids provide 10 kilowatts of solar power and 76 kilowatt-hours of battery storage to provide reliable power during normal business hours and during major outages such as hurricanes.
The Dominica Schools Microgrid Project involved rebuilding Morne Prosper Primary School and Paix Bouche Primary School, which were severely damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017, and installing sustainable energy systems in the schools to provide a safe and secure learning environment for their students. hurricane shelters for communities.
CLF and RMI provided financial and technical assistance for this project in close cooperation with local community members. This includes engaging communities to build long-term knowledge about the direct benefits of solar and battery energy storage systems. The Dominica Schools Microgrid Project serves as a proof point for how solar energy and storage systems can maintain community vitality by increasing energy resilience during intensifying climate-related hurricanes.
“We hope that by focusing on this landmark event and through regional focus, this project is already achieved (at the 2023 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum). [CREF] awards), which will be a catalyst to invest in larger climate and energy resilience initiatives both nationally and throughout the Caribbean region," said Ije Ikoku Okeke, Managing Director of RMI’s Catalytic Climate Capital (C3) and Global South programs.
“One of our key goals was to demonstrate how successful stakeholder collaboration can support building a more sustainable environment and scaling up clean energy,” said Krystle Francis, who serves as director of programs (Caribbean) for CLF. "And not just in Dominica, but in the wider region. We hope that the project has the ability to attract more attention to other institutions to fund similar projects throughout the Caribbean.
About CLF: The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) was established in 2012 by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. CLF invests in climate justice and climate resilience initiatives in the Caribbean and the United States, and helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters.
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A 5-megawatt/2.5 megawatt-hours battery energy storage system is slated to provide the Commonwealth of Dominica the necessary reserve power from existing sources of renewable energy in the island in times of calamities and emergencies.
This battery storage system will be connected to Dominica’s national grid, and is anticipated to encourage the use of renewable energy in the Caribbean nation by harnessing the resources from existing hydropower—and even future geothermal sources.
“The 5MW battery storage system will enable us to move more quickly to the transition from fossil fuel to renewable sources of energy in the electricity sector,” said Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
In a press release, the system is said to “stabilize the electricity grid, provide reserve power and frequency control, and provide an additional level of climate resilience, mitigating the impact of extreme weather events.”
The battery-only project is in part financed by Dominica’s government. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract that made this project possible is funded by the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund (UAE-CREF), the largest renewable energy investment of its type in the region, which is fully financed by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).
This is the first of its type under the CREF programme and complements existing and ongoing energy generation projects in Dominica.
One of the world''s leading renewable energy companies, Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, is leading the design and implementation of the project.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said, “This project will support the stabilization of Dominica''s electricity grid and enable it to achieve its climate resilience goals. The people of Dominica are committed to harnessing the gifts the Earth has given to them – geothermal energy and hydro power – and moving away from fossil fuels. Masdar is committed to enabling them to achieve their clean-energy objectives and leveraging our expertise to demonstrate the critical role renewable energy plays in accelerating economic growth for communities.”
PM Skerrit also expressed his gratitude to the UAE Government. “We look forward to continued partnership with the UAE in the area of sustainable development and other areas of mutual interest both bilaterally and multilaterally,” he said.
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