Whatever else might have been the relevance of Venezuela‘s presidential election to Jamaica, the most immediate concern for Kingston was the future of the PetroCaribe energy agreement.
It is little wonder, therefore, that our Government – particularly the energy minister, Mr Phillip Paulwell – has hardly masked its glee at President
THE EDITOR, Sir: I applaud the Government, any government, for having the vision to seek out new approaches and modalities in attempting to address the myriad challenges we face as a growing nation. I am, however, puzzled that it took us spending all of US$2.8 million (J$252 million at today’s rates) to learn that, according to Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project is not feasible! My problem with all this is, had these politicians been running their own businesses, would they be prepared to expend all those resources to come up with such results? I think not. Over and over we see this trend in Jamaica where one government starts a project with significant outlay of public funds (usually borrowed money), only to see a succeeding administration shelve or abandon it, with little regard for the expenditures already incurred. And we wonder why we are carrying such a burdensome debt load with little to show for it? We must demand an immediate accounting and disclosure to the nation of the J$252-million expenditure on this LNG project. Nothing less will suffice. When I think of the number of rural roads that could be fixed, toilets that could be placed in rural schools to expose children to 20th-century sanitary conveniences, or school furniture that could be repaired in order to provide basic comfort to our children in the learning environment, it pains my heart deeply. But what hurts even more is that these same children will be forced to help repay this borrowed money later, despite not enjoying any benefit from its expenditure. CARL BLISS cabliss@flowja.com Read more : KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica Public Service Company THE country cannot continue to depend on oil if the island intends to make meaningful progress with its economy, a leading energy engineer has said. Certified energy manager and energy auditor, Owen Gunning, who is also president of the Jamaica Society of Energy Engineers, wants a full-scale effort to be made to reduce Jamaica‘s dependence on oil as its base fuel and insists that a ‘more action, less talk’ approach should be adopted. Power distributor Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) remains committed to using liquefied natural gas (LNG) for its planned 360-megawatt power plant despite Government’s expected plan to scrap the supply of gas for the project, according to the utility’s boss. The private sector can assume the role of supplying the gas, if allowed by Government, JPS Chief Executive Officer Kelly Tomblin said Tuesday. The company will meet with Government this week to determine its next step. “The private sector could secure LNG if Government permits it,” Tomblin told Power distributor Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) remains committed to using liquefied natural gas (LNG) for its planned 360-megawatt power plant despite Government’s expected plan to scrap the supply of gas for the project, according to the utility’s boss. The private sector can assume the role of supplying the gas, if allowed by Government, JPS Chief Executive Officer Kelly Tomblin said Tuesday. The company will meet with Government this week to determine its next step. “The private sector could secure LNG if Government permits it,” Tomblin told ELECTRICITY bills will jump 18 per cent for the average residential customer this month, returning them to their usual levels. After customers benefitted from a one-off, US$3.8-million ($340 million) fuel rebate from Petrojam, a new heat rate target and lower oil prices last month, the fuel rate has returned to levels seen up to July this year.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Julian Robinson Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Julian Robinson, says Jamaica is ripe for investment in renewable energy. In an interview with JIS News, the State Minister said following a recent assessment of the rates paid to persons who generate energy which is then sold to the grid, a recommendation is now on the table that will make it more attractive for investors to invest locally. KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Julian Robinson, says Jamaica is ripe for investment in renewable energy. Following a recent assessment of the rates paid to people who generate energy which is then sold to the grid, a recommendation is now on the table that will make it more attractive for investors to invest locally, said Robinson said, adding this will bring significant benefits to the energy consuming public.
Since the start of 2012, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has lost more than US$30 million as a result of electricity theft. This, as the company continues to absorb the cost of the fuel used to produce much of the electricity that is illegally abstracted. “About 14 per cent of the electricity produced by JPS is stolen, and the cost of this theft is shared by both JPS and our customers,” says Kelly Tomblin, JPS president and CEO. “In addition to the financial losses associated with electricity theft, JPS is spending another US$30 million each year on efforts to curtail the problem. Despite this investment and the dedication of more than 200 employees to fighting losses, the problem persists,” she said. JPS has utilised a number of strategies in its fight against electricity theft. These include the installation of anti-theft systems in communities with high levels of losses, account audits, investigations, removal of illegal lines, and supporting the police. Since the start of the year, 38 persons have been arrested for illegal abstraction of electricity, more than 5,700 meter irregularities have been discovered, and 14,000 illegal ‘throw-up’ lines removed across the island. “We continue to explore additional ways of dealing with this problem, as persons are getting more and more innovative in their illegal use of electricity. JPS needs the support of everyone – the Government, customers, the police, and community leaders to address this problem because it affects every sector of society,” the JPS CEO explained.
Observer Monday Exchange guests (from left) Alando Terrelonge, partner at Bailey Terrelonge Allen; Edison Galbraith, general manager, loan origination, Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ); Christopher Brown, energy project co-ordinator, DBJ; and Owen Gunning, certified energy manager, certified energy auditor and president of the Jamaica Society of Energy Engineers, continue the discussion on energy efficiency following the end of the Exchange yesterday at the newspaper
