Gov’t Targets More Renewable Energy Investments

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says the Government will be facilitating increased investments in renewable energy.

“We will utilise the country’s abundant renewable resources and also redeploy as much as US$11 billion in savings from renewables to production and job creation in the economy,” he said.

Dr. Wheatley was addressing the opening of Blue Mountain Renewables (BMR) wind energy project in Potsdam, St. Elizabeth, on August 11.

The 36-megawatt plant, owned and operated by the United States-based BMR Energy, will supply energy to the national grid.

Ground was broken for the project in February 2015 and 143 persons were employed during the construction phase.

“It is truly a privilege for me to be a part of another commissioning for a renewable energy project in Jamaica. Just a few months ago, I was in Rose Hill, Manchester, for the commissioning of Government of Jamaica’s Wigton III 24 megawatts (MW) wind farm,” Dr. Wheatley noted.

He commended the investors and other stakeholders, who have worked to make the venture a reality.

Dr. Wheatley said the project is in keeping with the target of adding 30 per cent of renewables to the national energy mix by 2030, as stated in the National Energy Policy, and in keeping with Vision 2030 Jamaica.

“Projects like BMR continue to establish Jamaica as a clear renewables market leader within the Caribbean. By the end of this year, we would have added 80 MW of renewable energy to the national grid, through Wigton III, Content Solar (solar plant in Clarendon) and this facility. Let us be proud of this accomplishment,” he said.

He noted that the Government’s continued effort to increase renewable capacity through solar, wind, waste to energy and hydropower, is the surest way to curtail the country’s heavy dependence on imported oil.

Dr. Wheatley pointed out that the oil bill is US$2 billion annually, representing 19 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).