Webmaster, Author at SolarBuzz Jamaica

Energy Solutions – Speed As A Competitive Advantage

December 7, 2012 Webmaster

Aubyn Hill, Financial Gleaner Columnist

THIS WEEK, Blue Energy, a British company, announced that it will build Africa’s largest solar power plant in Ghana. By the time it is completed in 2015, the 155-megawatt facility will be the fourth-largest power plant in the world and is expected to supply 20 per cent of the Ghanaian government’s target of generating 10 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Apart from being the second-largest producer and exporter of cocoa in the world, Ghana is a significant producer of oil and, in March, Tullow Oil of London stated that an oilfield it found off the coast was a major find. Still, Ghana has made it easy for this US$400-million investment in solar energy to go ahead. The Nzema project will be situated on 183-hectares (about 403 acres) of land in western Ghana. The Ghanaian government has given the investor a100-year lease, as well as planning and connection permission to the 161kV West African Power Pool transmission line, which links Ghana to the Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

Int’l investors responded swiftly

The CEO of Blue Energy, Chris Dean, speaking to the

Electricity

Fundamentals of Electricity

December 7, 2012 Webmaster

In this instillation of our weekly newsletter blast out, we have decided to explain the energy grid system to you our readers. Through this newsletter we hope to help our readers and clients to better understand energy and how it works.

Delivery system:
As electrical energy is generated, it is transformed and transported instantaneously through a network of wires, substations, and transformers to the consumer. Electricity is generated at a comparatively low voltage at most generating stations. In order to transport this energy great distances, the voltage has to be increased, or stepped up.

Generating:
The generation of electricity is most commonly achieved by converting

Alternative Energy JPS News

JPS begins work for Maggoty power plant

December 7, 2012 Webmaster

The Jamaica Public Service Company, JPS, says preparatory work has started on the construction of the second Maggotty Hydroelectric Power Plant.

The plant is expected to add six megawatts to the national grid upon completion in November next year.

A statement from the power company says 30 jobs have so far been created with this number expected to increase as the project continues.

JPS has committed US$33 million to the building of the new plant

Alternative Energy Government News

Hurricane Reinforces Need for Alternative Energy Solutions

December 6, 2012 Webmaster

Some Jamaicans and persons in the wider Caribbean and the Eastern United States are still picking up the pieces, following the passage of Hurricane Sandy in

Government JPS News

CURE Says OUR Has Questions To Answer

December 6, 2012 Webmaster

Charlene Stuart, Senior Staff Reporter

Lobby group, Citizens United to Reduce the cost of Electricity (CURE), wants the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), to say why it is suspending the non-competitive process for the generation of renewable based electricity.

The electricity generated would be sold to the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).

The OUR made the announcement yesterday in a paid advertisement, indicating that the new measures take immediate effect.

The OUR has suspended the processing of non-competitive proposals for the generation of up to 25 megawatts of electricity from renewable energy sources.

The OUR said the suspension will remain until the completion of a competitive tender exercise to procure up to 115 mega Watts of power.

CURE

Government News

Mining Minister Confident Alpart will Re-Open Soon

November 30, 2012 Webmaster

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says he is confident that the Alpart bauxite and alumina plant at Nain, in St Elizabeth, will re-open soon, as discussions with U C Rusal, the majority share- holders and operators of the plant, are going well.

Addressing a Rural Electrification Programme (REP) lighting ceremony, in Powell Town, Southfield, St. Elizabeth, on November 28, the Minister said the latest round of discussions with representatives of U C Rusal took place on November 27, and that another is scheduled for the near future.

“We have to get Alpart re-opened, we have to get our bauxite/alumina back to where it was, and we have to get employment going. I have said to the representatives of UC Rusal, what you have there is precious to us, you have good reserves, and we cannot afford to keep the place locked down,” he said.

The parish of St. Elizabeth has been affected economically, since the closure of the processing plant in 2009.

Mr. Paulwell emphasised that before the end of this year, a date and schedule for the re-opening of the plant must be established.

Government LNG News

Not Cheap Enough – Gov’t Still Searching For Other Energy Source As LNG Remains Too Costly

November 30, 2012 Webmaster

Alternative Energy News

ATL Enters Solar Water Heater Market

November 30, 2012 Webmaster

ATL Assistant Deputy Director Ian Neita (left) seals the deal with a handshake with Nimrod’s Export Manager Mario Waisman after signing an exclusive agreement in which Appliance Traders Limited will serve as Nimrod’s agent to distribute its solar technology in Jamaica. – CONTRIBUTED

Appliance Traders Limited (ATL) announced Thursday that it will exclusively distribute solar water heaters from Israeli supplier, Nimrod Industries Limited.

It forms part of ATL’s new thrust to offer energy-efficient solutions to Jamaican homes and businesses.

“There has been a prominent call for homes and businesses to ‘go green’ with several local government agencies and financial institutions supporting ventures in alternative energy. With the Nimrod distribution, ATL is bringing the best of Israel’s solar technology to Jamaican shores,” said ATL’s Energy and Engineering Manager Paul Grey in the release.

ATL said that the Nimrod product ideally captures natural light whilst protecting against rust which develops after exposure to ‘hard water‘.

“In the Caribbean, we are prone to ‘hard water’ – that is water with mineral elements. Nimrod coats their piping with enamel which prevents mineral deposit build-up and ultimately extends the life of the heater, ensuring savings for customers,” said Grey. “We are pleased that Nimrod has chosen to permeate the Jamaican market. We think the time is right and that Jamaicans are ready to invest,” Grey stated.

ATL is owned by Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart.

Solar water heaters have grown in popularity since the 1990s, especially within resorts as a means of reducing electricity costs.

ATL will be going up against companies such as longstanding player Isratech Jamaica, which also distributes solar heaters in partnership with an Israeli company, Chromagen.

Isratech Jamaica has, since the 1990s, imported the finished water heaters for local sale but this month announced plans to start local production of heaters. It will import the components from Chromagen and assemble the heaters at its plant at Kendal in Mandeville once it finalises a J$15-million plant expansion.

The terms of ATL’s deal with Nimrod were not disclosed, neither did ATL respond to requests for comment up to press time on the type of investment and infrastructure that will surround its new product line.

business@gleanerjm.com

Paulwell wants timeline for Alpart’s reopening

November 30, 2012 Webmaster

RUSAL should declare a timeline for Alpart‘s reopening before the end of the year, says Phillip Paulwell.

The Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining expressed confidence that Alpart’s bauxite and alumina plant at Nain, St Elizabeth will reopen soon. He was upbeat after meeting with representatives of UC Rusal, the majority shareholders and operators of the plant, this week. Discussions with the firm are going well, with another meeting set for the near future, he said.

Alpart

Alternative Energy Government LNG

Government Committed to Energy Diversification – Robinson

November 29, 2012 Webmaster

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