Category: Renewable Energy

  • Jamaica’s Hydroelectric Potential

    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.

    run-of-river hydroelectric plan
    run-of-river hydroelectric plan

    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.

    The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) has shown through studies that Jamaica’s hydroelectric potential could be further exploited through the construction of a number of small-scale plants. The total technical potential is estimated to be in the range of more than 56 MW, including one large-scale facility at Back Rio Grande, as shown below.
    While the technical feasibility was proven in most cases, the economic assessment resulted in negative decisions in the past due to the high investment costs involved and comparatively low electricity generation costs from conventional plants. However, with the hike in oil prices (currently at US$99.87 per barrel) resulting in an increase in electricity generation costs, this picture is changing as can be seen from JPS’s recent decision to expand the capacity of the Maggoty Plant.

    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).

  • Economics of a Small Solar Electric System

    Economics of a Small Solar Electric System

    Small solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems are currently gaining popularity in the public domain in several Caribbean islands including Barbados and Jamaica, as a result of spiralling electricity cost in the region. The cost of these systems, however, presents a huge drawback to consumers, thus forcing them to think twice before investing.

    When considering the economics of investing in small solar electric systems it is necessary to look at both the capital cost and the long-term operating cost. The capital cost, which includes the cost of designing and installing a PV system, can be very overwhelming for the average consumer that is already fed up with high electricity bills. The operating cost on the other hand, which includes the cost of maintaining the PV system over its useful life, is generally small when compared to the ever-spiralling monthly electricity bills.

    Some factors that will affect both capital and operating costs of your PV system include:

    • system components
    • system size
    • whether it is grid-connected or stand-alone
    • available solar resource

    Before selecting the PV system components and sizing a PV system for your home, you should evaluate your energy consumption patterns. Looking for possible means of reducing your electricity consumption at this point would also be in your best interest. You can start by performing a load analysis, which includes:

    • looking at your utility bills over the past year
    • calculating energy consumption
    • recognizing consumption trends.

    By understanding your “energy habits” and becoming more energy efficient, you can reduce the size of the PV system you’ll need, lowering both your capital and operating costs.

    If you’re looking to build a new home, you should work with the builder and a solar professional to incorporate your PV system into your new home.

    For PV cost considerations, ask your PV provider how much electricity your new PV system will produce per year (measured in kilowatt-hours) and compare that number to your annual electricity usage (as determined from looking over your energy consumption for the past year) to get an idea of how much you will save. As a rule, the cost per kilowatt-hour goes down as the size of the PV system increases.

    Solar rebate programs, subsidies, and other incentives will help make PV more affordable. Check on your respective government ministry (website) to see what incentives are currently being offered in your country.

    The Jamaican Government currently offers the following incentives:

    1. GCT and import duties exemption on Solar systems – including panels, batteries, and inverters.
    2. The National Housing Trust (NHT) offers a low-interest “solar panel loans” of up to J$1.5 million for individual applicants and J$3 million for co-applicants, with interest rate ranging from 1 per cent to 7 per cent, depending on your weekly income, with a repayment period of 15 years.
    3. The NHT also offers a solar water heater loan of up to J$250,000 at 3 per cent for 5 years.
    4. On the commercial side, the National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica has implemented a special credit line for manufacturers and agro-processors to establish alternative- energy systems at relatively low-interest rates.

    Solar or PV system provides clean energy at a comparative cost, and considering recent changes in global climate and the current upward trend in oil prices consumer should now look to becoming more energy conscious, and in my personal opinion is a move in the right direction.