A new entity to replace the Rural Electrification Programme (REP) has been mandated to develop renewable energy solutions for Jamaicans who live too far from the national power
THE Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) is to partner with the National Contracts Commission to negotiate actively with four interested bidders for the building of a new power plant and present a recommendation to the Government in 30 days.
Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell, who made the announcement during his contribution to the 2013/14 Budget Debate at Gordon House in Kingston yesterday, said the OUR is to get additional powers of monitoring, evaluation and enforcement, similar to those it has over the telecommunications sector. “Legislation will be brought to Parliament during this year to amend the current Act,” he said.
|
Minister of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining Phillip Paulwell makes his contribution to the 2013/14 Budget Debate at Gordon House in Kingston, Turn to POWER on Page 4 yesterday. (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)
|
In 2010, the OUR went to tender for 480 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity, and the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) was the sole bidder at the time and was awarded the right to construct a 360 MW combined cycle plant. It was contemplated that the Government
would be responsible for securing the supply LNG of fuel for the new plant, through the Liquefied Natural Gas project.
However, the OUR, on February 1 this year, informed the JPS and its shareholders that it had terminated the request for proposal (RFP) process in relation to the 360-MW project. The OUR said it ended the process after JPS missed a third deadline on January 30 to complete the requirements under the RFP for the 360-MW project and had requested a 30-day extension.
The JPS said the project scope changed significantly since 2011, when it was granted approval to proceed with construction of the plant saying its role initially was simply to construct the plant, but late last year the company was asked to take on the additional responsibility of identifying a supplier and managing the process of procuring the LNG.
A subsequent decision by the OUR to accept unsolicited proposals from the JPS and other companies, this year,
saw five entities presenting unsolicited proposals for 14 discrete projects.
Yesterday, Paulwell said this development was “a big turnaround from 2010, when there was a sole bidder, signifying confidence in this administration, its policies and regulatory framework”.
He said that following evaluations by international consultants Mott McDonald, which contemplated among other factors the firmness of the proposal, the overall price and expected impact on retail electricity rates of the 14 projects submitted, four were rejected because the information was incomplete.
The energy minister said, although 10 were screened for detailed technical and comparative economic analysis, of the 10, the OUR determined that three entities made the pitch. Those include Amorview/Tankweld, which presented a
232-MW project proposed for Old Harbour and a 122.4-MW project proposed for Caymanas; JPS, which presented proposals for a 323-MW and a 350-MW combined cycle plant, both proposed for Old Harbour; and Azurest/ Cambridge, which presented a proposal for a 388-MW plant mounted on a barge.
Paulwell said all three proposed the use of natural gas.
In the meantime, he said subsequent to the OUR receiving and assessing those proposals, the Government has since received another unsolicited proposal from a Hong Kong company, proposing to build an LNG receiving terminal and power plant and to supply LNG from its own gas fields. That company has proposed a combined cycle gas-fired 360-MW power plant adjacent to the LNG hub terminal.
“After several stops and starts, today I can speak with certainty that a positive change is about to come to the supply of electricity in Jamaica. It is essential that we begin construction of new generating capacity this year; there have been too many delays, and we can no longer live with these high electricity prices,” Paulwell told the House.
Read more:
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller listens as Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell makes his presentation during the Budget Debate yesterday. – Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
Gary Spaulding,
Grenada is hoping to rely on wind turbines such as these at a section of the Wigton Windfarm in Manchester, for generation of electricity. – File
Grenada says it will use funds provided by the World Bank to facilitate the liberalisation of its electricity sector as part of an initiative being undertaken by other countries within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Public Utilities Minister Gregory Bowen told Parliament that EC$1.4 million from the World Bank would be used to facilitate the process.
“I want to assure the nation that a steering committee will be formulated and become active in ensuring we work with the other countries for the liberalisation of the electricity sector,” Bowen said.
He added that initial indications are that once the system remains the same a reduction in electricity rates will not be realised.
Bowen said the wind turbine project in Carriacou will be pursued as an alternative source of energy in Grenada.
“This is a over three million euros grant to Grenada, though the Grenada Electricity Services Company (GRENLEC) is putting some funding into it. But we want to ensure that the lease does not go to the detriment of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique,” Bowen told legislators.
In his budget presentation last month, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said his administration would seek to expedite the implementation of a wind-energy project in Carriacou, which is a partnership involving the European Union and GRENLEC.
He said that by using wind turbines the project will meet about 60 per cent of Carriacou’s electricity needs.
“Government is strongly committed to the increased use of renewable energy in Grenada. In this regard, private investment is essential and will be pursued as a major priority,” Mitchell added.
CMC
Read more:
Minister of Science, Technology Energy and Minining, the Hon. Phillip Paulwell.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion in this 2013/2014 Budget Debate, truly a critical point for our country, our economy and the well being of our people.
Over the past 15 months, as we negotiated this new crucial IMF Extended Fund Agreement from the ru
Alvin Javier Vanegas, sales executive for home appliances of Samsung Electronics, shows the Samsung digital inverter compressor refrigerator to Nariesha Murray (left), product supervisor of Unicomer Jamaica; Karen Gardener (right), sales manager – Samsung Electronics, Jamaica; and Ann-Marie Walters (second right), director of sales for Courts, at the launch of the digital inverter refrigerator at Courts Constant Spring on Thursday, April 18. – Rudolph Brown/Photographer
Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writer
With the high costs now associated with the use of electricity, consumers will now be happy to know that Samsung Electronics has unveiled in Jamaica a new refrigerator with a digital inverter that is guaranteed to save energy, automatically levels the power fluctuation, has more durability and a higher cooling performance to keep food in top condition.
The digital inverter increases energy efficiency by automatically choosing between five-speed RPM in response to cooling requirements. According to Alvin Vanegas, Samsung sales executive for home appliances, opening the door frequently or putting a plate of hot food in the refrigerator can create changes in temperature, but the digital inverter compressor reacts quickly to provide cool air to slow or speed, reducing energy consumption.
“In the same way that technology aims to prolong the life of the refrigerator, Samsung reinforces its commitment to the durability of its products, offering consumers a 10-year warranty on the compressor,” Vanegas said.
With the new combi fridge freezer, Samsung brings powerful technologcal innovations into the home, empowering families to get more out of their appliances and run their households more efficiently. Advanced technology in Samsung’s new refrigerator delivers an overall unique design, complemented by special features that work together to maximise space efficiency.
“It comes equipped with unique resources that provide convenient storage options and efficient use of space, including a sliding tray to store and get food easier and a compartment door which is longer and deeper for bottles,” Vanegas said.
The refrigerator also has:
Auto Ice Maker
Ice max or ice packs, depending on the model, offering two ice compartments.
LED light which is high in efficiency and better at illuminating the interior.
Sophisticated design of the door providing easy opening.
Water dispenser at a height that eliminates the need to tilt the body to use.
‘Moistfresh zone’ which controls the airflow to maintain optimum moisture, creating the perfect environment for storing fruits and vegetables.
‘Cool pack’ keeps the cold in the freezer for eight hours in case of power failure, preventing food from spoiling in the event of an ice-melt.
For more information on the Samsung Digital Inverter Compressor refrigerator, visit:
A tractor exits the Monymusk Sugar Factory. In 1986, a study was completed on the feasibility of installing and operating a steam-electric power cogenerating facility adjacent to the Monymusk Sugar Factory. The project never got off the ground. – File
CARICOM
ENERGY POLICY
In A Nutshell
— —————————-
This is a Summary of the CARICOM Energy Policy which was approved by the Forty-First
Special Meeting of the COTED on ENERGY held 1 March 2013, in Trinidad and Tobago
The Goal/ Vision of the CARICOM Energy Policy
Fundamental transformation of the energy sectors of the Member States of the Community through the provision of secure and sustainable supplies of energy in a manner which minimizes energy waste in all sectors, to ensure that all CARICOM citizens have access to modern, clean and reliable energy supplies at affordable and stable prices, and to facilitate the growth of internationally competitive Regional industries towards achieving sustainable development of the Community
OBJECTIVES OF CARICOM ENERGY POLICY
In fulfillment of the Goal /Vision of the CARICOM Energy Policy and to assure access to
affordable, adequate, safe and clean energy products necessary for the development of Member States and for the consolidation of the CSME (established by the Revised Treaty of
Chaguaramas), the Community will develop a programme of regional actions in a coherent and comprehensive way in pursuit of the following objectives:
(a) sustainable and secure energy supplies through diversification of energy sources;
(b) accelerated deployment of renewable and clean sources of energy supplies
towards increased energy supply diversification and affordability;
(c) sustained growth of intra-Community trade in energy;
(d) increased energy efficiency and conservation in all sectors, including the
transportation sub-sector;
(e) establishment and enforcement of labeling and standards for the importation of
electrical appliances as well as standards for vehicles importation;
(f) increased investment in production, transformation and distribution of viable
energy resources;
(g) strengthening and enhancement of the human and institutional capacities in the
Community energy sector;
(h) programmed expansion of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and
trade;
(i) improved access to affordable energy by the poor and vulnerable;
(j) greater use of renewable energy for electricity generation as well as in the
transportation, industrial and agricultural sectors;
(k) coordinated approach to exploring and establishing an institutional framework
for leveraging financing mechanisms for the development of viable energy
resources;
(l) increased technology transfer and information sharing;
(m) established regional and national targets for emissions reduction with
corresponding mitigation actions;
(n) strategies for maintenance of adequate energy reserves in the event of disasters;
and
(o) Strengthened research, development and innovation efforts in energy sector
especially in areas of clean and renewable energy sources and technologies.
Quantitative Regional level targets for sustainable energy will be established in the context of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS), based on rationalization of the potential energy resources and human and institutional capacity which will accompany the CEP and provide a implementation framework engaging all Member State and actors in the energy sector.
SUMMARY OF BROAD CARICOM ENERGY POLICY ACTIONS
In order to realize the Goal/Vision for the energy sector of the Community, it is the Policy of CARICOM to:
SECURITY OF SUPPLY AND FUEL DIVERSIFICATION (Chapter 1)
1. Ensure increased energy security through timely access to adequate, reliable and
affordable supplies of energy by all Member States of CARICOM.
EXPLOITATION OF HYDROCARBON SOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT OF FOSSIL FUEL MARKETS
(Chapter 2)
2. Secure least cost hydrocarbon resources for each Member State and ensure that
appropriate standards for petroleum and petroleum related products are introduced
and enforced.
RENEWABLE ENERGY (Chapter 3)
3. Diversify the energy sources through increased use of renewable energy in a manner
that assures optimization with other sectors.
ELECTRICITY SECTOR (Chapter 4)
4. Ensure the sustainability of the electricity sector through increased use of renewable
energy, improved legislative and regulatory framework and cross border trade of
electricity generated from indigenous renewable energy sources.
ENERGY CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY (Chapter 5)
5. Promote energy savings efforts in all sectors
ENERGY USE FOR TRANSPORTATION (Chapter 6)
6. Promote fuel switching in the transportation sector to cleaner energy sources and
encourage greater efficiency of energy use in the transportation sector.
ENERGY INVESTMENT (Chapter 7)
7. Undertake the necessary reforms in a timely manner to encourage greater investment
in the energy sector.
INTRA-COMMUNITY TRADE IN HYDROCARBON ENERGY SOURCES (Chapter 8)
8. Ensure fair pricing and access to hydrocarbon resources by all Member States to
improve the competitiveness of regional industries.
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (Chapter 9)
9. Ensure that energy is supplied and consumed in a manner that creates minimal
adverse impact on the environment.
ENHANCEMENT OF HUMAN AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY (Chapter 10)
10. Build and strengthen the human capacity and skills as well as institutional capacity
within the Region, encourage research and development and increase public education
and awareness to ensure energy sector development.
ENERGY ACCESS AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION (Chapter 11)
11. Eliminate energy poverty and ensure access to clean, affordable and reliable energy
supplies by all citizens of the Region poverty.
CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES (Chapter 12)
12. Encourage sustainable energy practices within all other sectors and areas where there
is linkage to energy use such as agriculture, youth and culture, etc.
ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE (Chapter 13)
13. Establish regional and national targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
in the energy sector and implement appropriate mitigation actions relevant to the
energy sector.
ENERGY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS (Chapter 14)
14. Develop strategies to ensure the availability of energy supplies and products and a
strategic response to any oil spill and sustainability of energy services during any
crisis.
TRADE IN ENERGY SERVICES (Chapter 15)
15. Develop strategies to take advantage of opportunities for trade in energy services
regional and internationally.
PRINCIPLES GUIDING ACTIONS OUTLINED IN
THE CARICOM ENERGY POLICY
The CARICOM Energy Policy is guided by the following:
1. Community Mandates on Energy and Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas;
2. Focus on the Regional Level Energy Sector Challenges and Opportunities;
3. Recognition that Member States