Wisynco’s $200 Million Solar Plant In Keeping With Gov’t Policy – Paulwell

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, has hailed Wisynco Group on its investment of $200 million in a one megawatt solar plant.

He said the plant, which has realised energy savings of approximately J$118,950 (US$1,000) per day, since it went into operation earlier this month, is in keeping with the Government’s focus on  renewable energy solutions.

“We must also be mindful of the fact that the project contributes to the national effort to reduce the (country’s) carbon footprint and the deleterious impact on the environment. I salute Wisynco on this tremendous effort to align your business with our policies,” Mr. Paulwell said.

He was speaking at the Thursday’s (September 24) commissioning of the plant at Wisynco’s head office in Lakes Pen, St. Catherine.

The facility is said to be the largest and first solar to high-voltage application to be developed in Jamaica. It comprises a two-acre farm with solar panel ground installations, and corresponding roof fixtures, which form the project’s first phase.

The facility’s daily output, which has been averaging approximately 5,000 kilowatt-hours since going into operation, cumulatively accounts for approximately eight per cent of Wisynco’s total monthly energy consumption levels.

Commending the installation of the solar plant is a “bold and solid investment” by Wisynco, Mr. Paulwell said the project “goes to show that risk taking is, sometimes, the key to progress and profitability.”

The Energy Minister further hailed the manufacturing and distribution company, which is commemorating its 50^th anniversary this year.

He said the company’s longevity “attests to its strength, resilience, agility, (and) in particular, its ability to adapt to the challenges of the vagaries of investment in a highly competitive and sometimes unpredictable business environment.”

In his remarks, Wisynco’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Mahfood, said the decision to pursue the solar project was based on the view that “investing in the plant now and expanding on that investment will actually lead to many gains in years to come.”

Benjamin Daley, Managing Director of Padero Solar Jamaica, which undertook the project, described Wisynco as “pioneering innovators” who were the “perfect partner.”

Wisynco manufactures synthetic items such as foam containers, and cups and is the distributor in Jamaica for some 110 brands with over 4,000 food and beverages, grocery and synthetic items.

Some of the major grocery brands are General Mills, Unilever, Nestlé and Kellogg’s, while beverages include brands such as Coca-Cola, Sprite and Welch’s and locally produced brands Bigga, WATA, and Cran WATA.

The company also owns franchises for Wendy’s, Häagen-Dazs and Domino’s pizza restaurants located islandwide.