Several activities were undertaken to boost the energy sector; to allow persons and companies to invest more in renewables; and provide the opportunity for Jamaicans to own shares in Wigton Windfarm in Manchester.
Wigton Wind Farm
• Jamaicans purchased 11 billion shares in Wigton Wind Farm, Manchester, offered by the Government at 50 cents per share, at the initial public offering (IPO) on April 17.
• Of the 11 billion shares, some 2.2 billion were reserved for Public Sector workers. The IPO was oversubscribed by $9 billion, and saw approximately 31,000 Jamaicans purchasing shares, resulting in 11,000 new investors joining the stock market.
• The wind farm, is generating 62.7 megawatts of power, resulting in the country not having to import 100,000 barrels of oil per year at a cost of more than US$54 million. The projected annual output can provide power for more than 31,500 homes.
• Production of clean energy from the facility has enabled the country to avoid the emission of one million tons of carbon dioxide, thereby reducing the country’s carbon footprint.
• Completed the Pilot of LNG buses.
• New 194 Mega Watt JPS LNG plant in Old Harbour commissioned.
Enhancing Energy Security
• Jamaica Energy Council re-established.
• 70 net billing licences were issued to power suppliers, bringing to 800, the total number of licences approved since the arrangement started in 2012.
Petroleum Corporation Of Jamaica (PCJ)
• The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) energy-saving programme was implemented in 15 schools and three Government agencies, with Ardenne High reporting $700,000.00 in savings annually.
• A $126.5-million contract was signed with Geddes Refrigeration Limited to instal air-conditioning solutions at three divisions of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) – Mobile Reserve Headquarters in Kingston; the May Pen Division Headquarters in Clarendon; and the National Police College at Twickenham Park in St. Catherine.
• More than $3 million in cash and prizes were awarded to the top performers in the 2019 PCJ Schools Energy Programme Competition.
Scientific Research Council (SRC)
• Donated biodigesters to Carron Hall High School, St. Mary.
The waste treatment process will be used to teach students how to produce organic fertiliser and irrigation for crops, and create energy in the form of biogas, which will be utilised as fuel.
• Equipment was upgraded at a cost of approximately $100 million, in an effort to assist with the reformulation efforts of manufacturers seeking to make their products healthier for consumers.
• SRC is now able to administer up to 14 tests on products, thereby enabling access to markets in 90 countries without the need for retesting.
• Invested SRC in acquiring the requisite advanced equipment to commence medical cannabis-related evaluations.