Jamaica Poised to Become Top User of Renewable Energy

State Minister in the Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Ministry, Hon. Julian Robinson, says Jamaica is poised to become the top user of renewable energy in the Caribbean, by the end of 2016.

“There are a number of projects that will become operational by then. (These include)  the third expansion of the Wigton Wind Farm (in Manchester), which is adding (more) than 20 megawatts to the grid; Blue Mountain Renewables, adding just over 20 megawatts; and the solar project at Content, in Clarendon,” said Mr. Robinson in a JIS News interview.

He added that together, these projects are expected to add approximately 80 megawatts to the national grid.

“Apart from these major projects, you have at the individual level and at the company level, a number of entities that are implementing their own energy solutions. When you add all of these, it will push us further in terms of how many renewable energy projects are on the grid,” Mr. Robinson said.

Utilizing renewable energy will result in millions of dollars in savings as well as a reduction in the demand for oil.

Renewable energy, according to the State Minister, is safe since “you will not be producing harmful emissions into the environment.”

Under a four-year Energy Efficiency and Conservation Project, implemented in 2011, the Government of Jamaica also aims to reduce the energy bill among public sector agencies.