INVESTORS wanting to build out renewable energy capacity in the latest round of investments in Jamaica will have to do so by early 2015.

Up to 115 megawatts (MW) are up for grabs.

Those who are interested to make bids will have to declare that to the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) by December 21.

But the request for proposal documents has set tariff caps, which could make investments in certain types of renewables lucrative, but could also mean higher electricity prices to consumers.

What’s more, even with the seemingly fast pace at which the regulator is pushing for renewables to come online

INVESTORS wanting to build out renewable energy capacity in the latest round of investments in Jamaica will have to do so by early 2015.

Up to 115 megawatts (MW) are up for grabs.

Those who are interested to make bids will have to declare that to the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) by December 21.

But the request for proposal documents has set tariff caps, which could make investments in certain types of renewables lucrative, but could also mean higher electricity prices to consumers.

What’s more, even with the seemingly fast pace at which the regulator is pushing for renewables to come online

Lucea, Hanover – The Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd is reporting that it has started major maintenance work in Hanover.

This is with the aim of improving its service to many customers who have been experiencing frequent outages.

It is not clear when the programme which commenced in October will end. The company says there was limited work done after Hurricane Sandy as some of their contractors were deployed to other parishes to assist with the restoration process.

In a written report to the Hanover Parish Council, the electricity provider said the repair programme includes the replacement of equipment and poles, the rehabilitation of lines, repair to street lights and bushing in the vicinity of distribution lines.

According to the JPS, 32 kilometres of distribution lines have already been bushed with another 230km scheduled to be completed before the end of the year. Areas completed include Riley to Middlesex and lines to Clifton, Cascade, Lances Bay and Esher.

Repairs to street lights have been completed by the utility company in the towns and communities of Lucea, Clifton, Hopewell and Miles Town.

In October, the Observer reported that the company had promised to provide a more reliable service to customers in Hanover, who have been experiencing frequent power outages due mainly to maintenance and feeder issues. At that time, the company’s new Operations Manager Winston Bansie said he was mandated to have the service in the parish improved, mainly in efficiency and reliability.

The JPS had also promised to step up repairs to street lights in the parish.

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Lucea, Hanover – The Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd is reporting that it has started major maintenance work in Hanover.

This is with the aim of improving its service to many customers who have been experiencing frequent outages.

It is not clear when the programme which commenced in October will end. The company says there was limited work done after Hurricane Sandy as some of their contractors were deployed to other parishes to assist with the restoration process.

In a written report to the Hanover Parish Council, the electricity provider said the repair programme includes the replacement of equipment and poles, the rehabilitation of lines, repair to street lights and bushing in the vicinity of distribution lines.

According to the JPS, 32 kilometres of distribution lines have already been bushed with another 230km scheduled to be completed before the end of the year. Areas completed include Riley to Middlesex and lines to Clifton, Cascade, Lances Bay and Esher.

Repairs to street lights have been completed by the utility company in the towns and communities of Lucea, Clifton, Hopewell and Miles Town.

In October, the Observer reported that the company had promised to provide a more reliable service to customers in Hanover, who have been experiencing frequent power outages due mainly to maintenance and feeder issues. At that time, the company’s new Operations Manager Winston Bansie said he was mandated to have the service in the parish improved, mainly in efficiency and reliability.

The JPS had also promised to step up repairs to street lights in the parish.

Read more:

In the words of the prime minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, the annual bill for the importation of fuel in his small Caribbean island of 250,000 people is “wholly untenable”. In 2010, the national oil import bill for Barbados was US$393 million. That figure is indicative of the annual oil bill that damages the viability of every Caribbean Community (Caricom) country except Trinidad and Tobago, which is a substantial oil and gas producer.

Prime Minister Stuart has declared that “if not corrected”, the oil import bill would become “wholly unaffordable” in his country. The same is true for all other Caricom countries except Trinidad and Tobago and now, to a certain extent, Suriname. The cost of energy is adversely affecting both the manufacturing and service industries and contributing to making the exports of Caribbean companies uncompetitive in the world market.

STUART

In the words of the prime minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, the annual bill for the importation of fuel in his small Caribbean island of 250,000 people is “wholly untenable”. In 2010, the national oil import bill for Barbados was US$393 million. That figure is indicative of the annual oil bill that damages the viability of every Caribbean Community (Caricom) country except Trinidad and Tobago, which is a substantial oil and gas producer.

Prime Minister Stuart has declared that “if not corrected”, the oil import bill would become “wholly unaffordable” in his country. The same is true for all other Caricom countries except Trinidad and Tobago and now, to a certain extent, Suriname. The cost of energy is adversely affecting both the manufacturing and service industries and contributing to making the exports of Caribbean companies uncompetitive in the world market.

STUART

Many of you may know that time of the month when you get emotional, angered, stressed or even feel urged to cry.

That’s right. Your light bill is too high.

Entertainment systems can burn up to 11 kWh a month when not in use, and can run a light bill of $5,000 a year.

Electricity prices have been stable for the last eighteen months, but residential consumers have been paying on average of $31 and $40 for each kilowatt-hour (kWh), depending on how much is used in any given month.

The price paid for electricity is higher for those with greater appetites for energy. That’s because the energy rate for each kWh above the first 100 kWh is 2.3 times the rate for the first 100 kWh

Many of you may know that time of the month when you get emotional, angered, stressed or even feel urged to cry.

That’s right. Your light bill is too high.

Entertainment systems can burn up to 11 kWh a month when not in use, and can run a light bill of $5,000 a year.

Electricity prices have been stable for the last eighteen months, but residential consumers have been paying on average of $31 and $40 for each kilowatt-hour (kWh), depending on how much is used in any given month.

The price paid for electricity is higher for those with greater appetites for energy. That’s because the energy rate for each kWh above the first 100 kWh is 2.3 times the rate for the first 100 kWh