The Islands of the Caribbean are known to have some of the highest electricity rates in the world, with the exception of only a few. This is primarily because more than 95 percent of their energy consumption is derived from imported petroleum products. The U.S. Department of Energy and its partners, through the Energy Transition… Continue reading Island Energy Snapshots – the Caribbean
Jamaica is currently leading the English speaking Caribbean in the use of renewable energy (RE) at the commercial level and will probably continue to do so for some time to come. This statement is based in one part on its current installed capacity of 72 Megawatts (MW) and the other on the 78 MW that… Continue reading Ten Companies go Head to Head to Supply RE in Jamaica
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in a ninety four (94) page publication titled "REthink Energy towards a new power system" articulated the point that policies that promote renewable energy can simultaneously address economic, social and environmental objectives. I too share this sentiment. As global warming becomes more apparent, policymakers in the developed world have… Continue reading Can Renewables Address the Economic, Social and Environmental Goals in the Caribbean?
The addition of new generating capacity to Jamaica's electricity grid can be achieved in three ways: 1. the installation of conventional power plants 2. the installation of renewable energy (RE) facilities 3. the installation of co-generation facilities. RE facilities refers to plants in which the source of primary energy continually (naturally) regenerates. Such sources of… Continue reading Jamaica’s Policy for the Addition of Renewable Capacity to Electricity Grid
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in its REmap 2030 report highlighted that "renewable technologies are now the most economic solution for new capacity in an increasing number of countries and regions." This was attributed to the declining cost to deliver electricity from solar photovoltaics (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP) and wind, meanwhile hydropower, biomass… Continue reading Renewable Power is Cost Competitive
The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) makes yet another momentous contribution to the development of RE (Renewable Energy) in Jamaica. PCJ officially announced, on February 3, 2013, that it will make available to interested parties an extensive range of RE data via its website (www.pcj.com). The data includes scientific and analytical information on Jamaica’s renewable… Continue reading Jamaica’s RE data now online
Jamaica - this paradise island that is sometimes referred to as “the land of wood and water,” has great hydroelectric potential. This is 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… Continue reading Jamaica’s Hydroelectric Potential
