Jamaica’s Hydroelectric Potential

Jamaica, the paradise island that is sometimes referred to as  “the land of wood and water,” has great hydroelectric potential due primarily to its many rivers, land topography and climate. Out of a list of 120 rivers, the Island has several rivers that are suitable for hydroelectric power generation.

Hydroelectric power is power generated from water. A basic hydroelectric power plant generates electricity in a three-stage process: First, water wheels are used to capture the kinetic energy (energy of motion) from falling or running water. Next, this kinetic energy is converted into mechanical energy by a gear mechanism attached to the water wheel. Then finally, the mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by an alternator that is connected to the gear mechanism.

For over 100 years Jamaica has been exploiting its hydroelectric potential through the use of “run-of-river” hydroelectric power plants. There are currently eight (8) such plants in operation across the island today:

These plants are owned and maintained by Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo.). Together they produce approximately 5% baseload capacity for the public electricity grid during the rainy seasons. Most of these systems are fairly old, however, with the youngest ones being more than 15 years old. These eight hydroelectric power stations save the country roughly US$27M on fuel imports annually. The following chart shows historical data of hydroelectric power generation in Jamaica:

In April 2011, the JPSCo unveiled plans to undertake the first major hydroelectric development in Jamaica in 30 years. This involves the commissioning of a new plant that will further reduce the country’s oil import by 48,000 barrels of fuel per year. At an estimated price of $100 per barrel, this would save Jamaica US$4.8M annually. The new plant, which will see the doubling of the capacity at the Magotty Hydroelectric Plant, is scheduled for completion by July 2013.

Currently, the PCJ’s Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy (CERE) division that has been mandated to support the implementation of new ideas and methods in renewable energy in Jamaica is pursuing several hydroelectric initiatives. The CERE has partnered with two international companies to update the technical, financial and economic feasibility study on five potential hydroelectric projects (listed below). CERE has partnered with BPR’s Power Division in four of the five projects and IT Power Ltd. in the other. BPR is a private engineering consulting firm located in Quebec, Canada, and IT Power Ltd. is a climate change consulting firm located in the United Kingdom.

1. The Back Rio Grande Hydropower Plant: Back Rio Grande is located in the parish of Portland at the north eastern end of the island.

Project Highlights – Back Rio Grande Potentials:

• 6 MW of electricity potential
• 17,120 MWh of electricity per year
• 10,000 barrels of avoided oil imports
• 14,000 tonnes of CO2 emission reductions
• Foreign Direct Investment US$20.7 million

2. The Great River Hydropower plant: Great River borders the parishes of St. James and Hanover, on the north western coast of the island.

Project Highlights – Great River Potentials:

• 8 MW of electricity potential
• 35,218 MWh of electricity per year
• 21,000 barrels of avoided oil imports
• 29,000 tonnes of CO2 emission reductions
• Foreign Direct Investment US$23.6 million

3. The Laughlands Hydropower Plant: Laughlands Great River, a Greenfield site, is located in the parish of St. Ann, on the north coast of the island.

Project Highlights – Laughland Potentials:

• 2 MW of electricity potential
• 13,920 MWh of electricity per year
• 8,000 barrels of avoided oil imports
• 12,000 tonnes of CO2 emission reductions
• Foreign Direct Investment US$6.7 million

4. The Rio Grande (1 & 2) Hydropower Plants: Rio Grande is located in the parish of Portland at the north eastern end of the island.

Project Highlights – Rio Grande Potentials

• 2 MW of electricity potential
• 8,425 MWh of electricity per year
• 5,000 barrels of avoided oil imports
• 7,000 tonnes of CO2 emission reductions
• Foreign Direct Investment US$6.8 million

5. The Swift River Hydropower Plant: Swift River is a tributary of the Rio Grande, located in the parish of Portland at the north eastern end of the island.

Project Highlights – Swift River Potentials

• 2 MW of electricity potential
• 8,390 MWh of electricity per year
• 4,900 barrels of avoided oil imports
• 6,900 tonnes of CO2 emission reductions
• Foreign Direct Investment US$6.5 million

These feasibility studies now open up the door for members of the private sector to step in and play a bigger role in leading the way forward towards the uses of cleaner, and cheaper sources of electricity. Private investors should, however, be aware that current legislation requires a license for all types of water uses, issued by the Water Resources Authority. The license is granted for a period of 5 years but can be extended thereafter. In competing situations, preference is given to fresh-water use over any energetic purposes. All environmental aspects have to be approved by the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA).