About Jamaica Public Service
EXPLORING RENEWABLES
JPS is preparing to start work on two new renewable power projects this year, as part of our strategy to gradually reduce dependence on oil for electricity generation.
These projects will result in the addition of over 9 megawatts (MW) of new generating capacity using hydro and wind power. The two projects are: a 6.3-megawatt hydroelectricity power plant in Maggotty, St Elizabeth, and a 3-megawatt wind farm in Munro, St Elizabeth. They were recently approved by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), subject to final negotiations on tariff and other project details.
The new hydro project will see the expansion of the existing hydroelectricity plant in Maggotty. This plant now accounts for close to 30 percent of the 21 MW of installed hydropower owned by JPS. The wind farm, on the other hand, will be the first wind project to be implemented by JPS. The 3-megawatt turbine is being built as a pilot, with plans for future expansion. Both projects are expected to cost an estimated US$38.7 million.
JPS is also exploring a number of other initiatives as part of efforts to reduce its dependence on oil. These include the recent partnership agreement with Petrojam for the construction of a Petcoke plant at Hunts Bay in Kingston and a project to convert the Bogue combined cycle plant in Montego Bay to use Compressed Natural Gas.
These initiatives are expected to save the Company and, by extension, consumers, millions of dollars in fuel costs each year.