JPS Re-opens Constant Spring Hydroelectric Plant

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) has boosted its power-generating capacity with the re-opening of the Constant Spring Hydroelectric Power Plant, which had been out of service since 2001.

The plant is powered by the Hermitage Dam and the Wag Water and Boar Rivers and will allow the JPS to add 0.77 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, which represents service to just fewer than 1,600 homes.

It is located at the National Water Commission’s (NWC) Constant Spring Treatment Plant and is being accessed by the JPS under a lease agreement. A total of US$1 million was spent to rehabilitate the facility and it is expected that the newly rehabilitated plant will result in a fuel cost saving of approximately US$600,000 per year, based on current fuel prices.

Minister of Energy and Mining, Hon. James Robertson (left), pays attention as Plant Manager for the Jamaica Public Service Company’s (JPS) Hydroelectric Plants, Desmond Fagan, points out the features of the touch-screen panel used to operate the recently rehabilitated Constant Spring Hydroelectric Power Plant. Occasion was the official opening of the facility located in Long Lane, St. Andrew today (December 9).

Speaking at the opening of the facility located on Long Lane, St. Andrew today (December 9), Minister of Energy and Mining, Hon. James Robertson, congratulated the power company and the NWC for collaborating on the renewable energy project. JPS and NWC have also developed a joint operational policy and the power company has trained NWC employees regarding the working of the plant.

Minister Robertson said that the reopening of the plant ties in with the National Energy Policy 2009-2030, a main aim of which is the diversification of fuels and development of renewable energy resources.

“I want to say to you JPS and to the Water Commission, thank you for embracing the vision and the policy…when you look at this plant and see no carbon emissions, this is the future and this is what we are talking about,” he said.

Mr. Robertson noted that the plans by the JPSCo to build more hydroelectric plants at Mahogany Vale in St. Thomas and at Rio Grande in Portland, is in keeping with the Government’s target of having at least seven more plants across the island, in addition to the current six.

Minister of Energy and Mining, Hon. James Robertson, explains some of the targets contained in Jamaica’s National Energy Policy 2009-2030 at the reopening of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) Constant Spring Hydroelectric Power Plant located in Long Lane, St. Andrew today (December 9). The plant, which had been closed since 2001, is able to serve approximately 1,600 households.

He also predicted that Jamaica could achieve its energy targets within five years of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project coming on stream, way before the targeted timeline.

The Energy and Mining Minister also informed that a policy is now in place which will allow companies that invest in renewable energy to receive incentives.

The JPSCo has indicated that its next renewable project will be the expansion of the Maggotty Hydroelectric Power Plant in St. Elizabeth.