Jamaica Boosting Its Energy Industry
9.8.2021 21:30:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
The Caribbean’s leader in renewable energy, Jamaica, is making significant strides in boosting the diversification of its energy sector, as the government looks to implement the island’s ambitious Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
The initiative has set a goal of adding around 1,600 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity over the next 20 years to expand the island’s energy resources. The aim is to facilitate reduced energy prices, and decrease vulnerability of the energy sector to external shocks such as oil prices. The IRP creates business opportunities in the form of requests for proposals (RFPs) that seek investors to fulfill the demand for more energy generation.
The IRP’s targets include 1260 MW of wind and solar, 330 MW of liquid natural gas (LNG), and 74 MW of hydro, biomass or waste energy by the year 2037. JAMPRO, Jamaica’s investment promotions agency, is tasked with securing the local and foreign investment that will drive the plan’s success, and the achievement of these targets.
The island is well on its way. Jamaica wants to have 33 per cent of electricity generation from renewables by 2030, and there are already impressive renewable energy projects on the island that are proving to be a strong foundation for the country’s energy resource plan. The 20-megawatt (MW) Content Solar Ltd. solar energy electricity generation plant owned by WRB Energy Company in Clarendon is one such example. In Westmoreland, the largest photovoltaic power plant in Jamaica, the 51 MWp (megawatts-peak) Paradise Park solar farm, is one of the island’s cheapest producers of energy.
There is also the Wigton Windfarm in Rose Hill, Manchester, which is the largest facility of its kind in the Caribbean with a 20.7 MW plant and an 18 MW extension facility. Jamaica’s energy provider, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS)’s Munro Wind Farm has a 3 MW capacity, while Blue Mountain Renewable (BMR) Jamaica Wind generates 34 MW. In St. Elizabeth, the JPS utility company operates a 7.2 MW hydro-electric plant in Maggoty.
Regarding these projects, Don Gittens, JAMPRO’s Manager of Logistics, Energy, and Infrastructure, stated “Current renewable energy projects represent approximately 14 per cent of energy generation in Jamaica, but our target is 50 per cent. There is therefore a significant opportunity because we have that gap between 14 per cent and 50 per cent that we intend to fill with additional renewable energy investments.”
Jamaica is currently seeking to procure 320 MW of wind and solar, 120 MW of LNG and 74 MW of hydro, biomass or waste energy for this year. Gittens elaborated, “That is the opportunity that exists right now for investors, so, these are very exciting times.”
Interest high in Jamaica’s energy sector
According to JAMPRO, there is serious interest in Jamaica’s energy sector. The Agency is entertaining several local and international investors who are interested in partaking in the RFP that is to come with the aforementioned energy generation opportunities.
This interest was maintained by JAMPRO through the pandemic, as the organisation chose to intensify its marketing activities. The company increased its digital outreach and direct engagements with sector leaders and business executives locally and internationally.
Diane Edwards, President of JAMPRO, said, “While there was a feeling of uncertainty, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, we knew that we had to continue to nurture our relationships and the renewable energy opportunity in Jamaica, and increase our marketing activities. COVID-19 re-emphasised the fact that sectors like logistics, energy, and agriculture must be major priorities, so the Jamaican government really used this time to identify the areas that needed even more focus as we continue Jamaica’s development.”
Sector development initiatives have continued, and JAMPRO has partnered with entities like New Energy Events and the REA - The Association for Renewable Energy & Clean Technology in the UK to continue its global promotion of the energy industry. Jamaica has also begun work on the development of an electronic vehicle charging network, confirming the country’s commitment to alternative energy sources.
“This is a very exciting time within the local and global energy sector as everything is moving towards renewable energy,” Gittens enthused. “Once the RFPs are ready, we are confident there will be a lot of investment coming through.”
ABOUT JAMPRO
The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO)’s mission is to drive economic development through growth in investment and export. JAMPRO is an Agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce.
For more information on JAMPRO, please visit https://dobusinessjamaica.com/.
Follow us on:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210809005015/en/
Contact information
Integrated Marketing Communications
Tamica Parchment
tparchment@jamprocorp.com
Tele: 876-978-7755
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Venture Global Announces Closing of $2.25 Billion of Senior Secured Notes12.6.2026 00:00:00 EEST | Press release
Venture Global LNG, Inc. (“Venture Global”) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Venture Global LNG, Inc. (the “Issuer”) has closed its offering of $1.125 billion aggregate principal amount of its 6.375% senior secured notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes”) and $1.125 billion aggregate principal amount of its 6.625% senior secured notes due 2036 (the “2036 Notes” and, together with the 2034 Notes, the “Notes”). The Issuer used the gross proceeds from the offering to redeem all of the Issuer’s outstanding 8.125% senior secured notes due 2028 (the “Existing 2028 Notes”) and used cash on hand to pay the redemption premium and related fees and expenses for the offering and the redemption. The 2034 Notes will mature on December 15, 2034, and the 2036 Notes will mature on June 15, 2036. The Notes were issued at par. The Notes will initially not be guaranteed by any of the Issuer’s subsidiaries. In the future, certain of the Issuer’s subsidiaries that incur or guarantee certain amount
Venture Global and Atlantic-SEE Announce Expansion of Long-Term LNG Sales and Purchase Agreement with Greece11.6.2026 23:30:00 EEST | Press release
Today, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) and ATLANTIC – SEE LNG TRADE S.A. of Greece announced an expansion of their existing Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the purchase of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Venture Global for twenty years starting in 2030. Under the deal, Atlantic-SEE is doubling their existing contract with Venture Global from a minimum of 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 1.0 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Atlantic-SEE LNG is a newly formed joint venture announced in November at the 6th Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (PTEC) conference hosted in Athens, Greece between Greek companies AKTOR Group and DEPA Commercial. The announcement of this expanded supply agreement follows Venture Global’s previously announced investment in regasification capacity at the Alexandroupolis LNG import terminal in Greece, which currently accounts for approximately 25% of the terminal’s total capacity. The Alexandroupolis LNG FSRU receiving terminal and S
Merrithew ® Expands Global Mindful Movement Leadership with Acquisition of the GYROTONIC ® Organization11.6.2026 18:30:00 EEST | Press release
Merrithew®, a global leader in mindful movement education and equipment and creator of internationally recognized programs including STOTT PILATES®, ZEN•GA®, Halo® Training and Total Barre®, today announced the acquisition of the GYROTONIC® organization, creator of the globally respected GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods. Founded by Juliu Horvath, the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods are internationally recognized for their distinctive approach to movement, combining fluidity, strength, mobility, coordination, and rehabilitation through specialized equipment and movement sequences. Practiced in studios and wellness centers worldwide, the methods have cultivated a deeply loyal global community of instructors, trainers, therapists, and movement professionals. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Merrithew International Inc.’s growth strategy and reflects Merrithew’s commitment to growing the rapidly expanding global mindful movement category. The addition of the GYROTONI
GigaDevice Expands Optical Communication Portfolio with New GD32E512 and GD32E252 Series MCUs for Optical Modules11.6.2026 17:00:00 EEST | Press release
GigaDevice, a leading semiconductor company specializing in Flash memory, 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs), sensors, and analog products, has introduced the new GD32E512 and GD32E252 series MCUs specifically designed for optical module applications. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260611850679/en/ Empowering Optical Interconnect Innovation, GigaDevice Unveils Dedicated MCUs for Optical Modules. As a leading supplier of MCUs for optical module applications, GigaDevice has maintained a strong focus on the optical communication market, continuously aligning its product development with evolving industry requirements and next-generation optical interconnect technologies. Leveraging years of expertise in optical module control solutions, GigaDevice has established a strong position in the market through continuous innovation and close collaboration with industry partners. To further support the advancement of high-sp
Saudi Arabia at the Center of the Global Water Industry as IDWS 2026 Reshapes the Future of Water11.6.2026 16:47:00 EEST | Press release
In an increasingly resource-constrained world, water has become critical to both economic growth and national security, driving demand for global leadership in sustainability, innovation, and water solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260611388456/en/ Saudi Arabia at the Center of the Global Water Industry as IDWS 2026 Reshapes the Future of Water (Graphic: AETOSWire) The Saudi Water Authority has announced the return of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS), taking place from 7 to 9 December 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah, as the Kingdom consolidates its position at the center of the global water conversation. As home to one of the world’s most advanced and rapidly evolving water management ecosystems, Saudi Arabia currently operates more than 500 water production facilities across the Kingdom with total water production capacity exceeding 16.2 million cubic meters per day. The
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom