Steady Growth In Renewable Energy Sector

Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, said there has been a steady expansion of the country’s renewable energy sector.

This, he said, is due to an increase in the utilisation of alternative power solutions, by individuals and entities.

“This is a significant area of growth and we are finding that many individuals and companies are diversifying and implementing renewable energy solutions and it is absolutely consistent with the (Government’s) policy,” he noted.

The State Minister was speaking at the recent commissioning of a Solar Photovoltaic System by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) held at the NCB’s Trafalgar Road offices.

To date, the Ministry has issued over 366 net billing licenses, which allow persons to sell excess energy generated through renewable sources to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) grid.  Of the total, just over 300 are connected and are operational.

Mr. Robinson attributes the increase in applications for net billing licenses to the fact that stakeholders are seeking alternative solutions in an effort to reduce their dependence on traditional energy sources.

He noted that the JPS is also activity exploring renewable sources, as part of the strategy to reduce the dependence on oil for electricity generation.

“JPS is in the renewable energy business. They have a division that is devoted to that, because they recognise, as we do, that if your consumers can’t pay because the cost of electricity is so high, then that’s bad for business,” he said.

JPS has constructed a 6.3-megawatt hydroelectric power plant in Maggotty, St. Elizabeth, and is involved in the building of a 36.3-megawatt wind farm in Munro, St. Elizabeth.