Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd - Government Approved JPS' 190 MW Gas Project

Energy Company, Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS), received formal approval from the Jamaican Government for its proposal to proceed with the construction of a 190MW plant to replace the company’s existing units at the Old Harbour power station, located on the southern coast of Jamaica.

JPS is pursuing fuel diversification of its power generation fleet (new and existing), consistent with the Jamaica National Energy Policy, to reduce dependence on liquid fuels such as Diesel and HFO#6, in favour of lower cost Natural Gas. A market study undertaken by JPS in 2014 indicated that Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL’s) such as propane and ethane, are viable options for power generation and can realise significant reduction in the cost of electricity.

JPS has subsequently defined a gas-powered generation project through collaboration with the Electricity Sector Enterprise Team (ESET) established by the Jamaican Government. The project has now received formal approval by the Government and has been awarded to JPS.

The Project is to be located at the existing Old Harbour site and is nominally rated at 190 MW under site conditions (197 MW – new and clean). JPS also seeks to convert the existing Bogue combined cycle project in Western Jamaica to gas fuel as expeditiously as possible. The primary objectives of the projects are to reduce costs, reduce electricity price volatility through establishing fuel diversity, and to provide flexible generation (fast start and ramp), allowing the integration of intermittent resources to further enable the Government’s Energy Policy to provide up to 20% of Jamaica’s energy from renewable generation projects.