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