Find Electricity and Power expertise in Jamaica

Jamaica has historically relied on imported fossil fuels for its energy which still makes up the vast majority of Jamaica’s fuel supply. It was estimated that in 2009, the electrification rate in Jamaica was 92% which left 200,000 people living without power. The World Bank reports that, in 2009 Jamaica’s electricity consumption per capita was 1,902kWh, a reduction of around 20% from 2004.

Given the imbalance between fossil fuel consumption and production, Jamaica is seeking alternative sources of energy which will make them more independent as a nation.

Jamaica’s renewable energy targets have been promising, aiming for 10% electricity generation from renewable energy by 2010, and 15% by 2020. The country’s only distributor, Jamaica Public Service Company, JPS are committed to the achievement of Jamaica’s renewable energy targets, and aim to gradually reduce Jamaica’s dependence on oil for electricity generation.

The main areas of exploration are hydro and wind power, and in 2008 two major projects were approved by the Office of Utilities Regulation; the hydroelectricity power plant in Maggotty and a 3-megawatt wind farm in Munro. The 4-turbine wind farm was commissioned in 2010 and has since been completed. It now acts as a pilot project with plans for future expansion.

JPS is also exploring other initiatives in an effort to reduce oil dependence, for example, a partnership agreement with Petrojam for the construction of a Petcoke plant in Kingston and a project to convert a combined cycle plant in Montego Bay to use compressed natural gas.

In the World Economic Forum’s ‘Global Competitiveness Report’ 2011-2012, following the assessment of the quality of the electricity supply Jamaica scored 4.3 out of 7, slightly below the mean score of 4.5. It ranked at 81 out 142 countries, placing it level with Russia, Ukraine and Mexico.

There is only one distributor of electricity in Jamaica, Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) who have a customer-base of 600,000 people. They have a generation capacity of over 620 megawatts and use steam (oil-fired), gas turbines, diesel, combines cycle and hydroelectric technology. The company operates 27 generating units consisting of eight hydros, one windfarm, 54 substations, and 14,000 km of distribution and transmission lines. The Government of Jamaica owns 20% of JPS, while Marubeni Caribbean Power Holdings Inc. and Korea-East West Power each holds 40% ownership.