Government Plans to Introduce New Energy Sources  

• The Government intends to introduce new energy sources that will make power generation in Jamaica more reliable, available, and affordable. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Expo Jamaica 2023, at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on April 27, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the Government has embarked on a path to ensure that 50% of Jamaica’s energy is generated from renewable sources.
• “We are currently doing a new integrated resource plan to make sure that when we do introduce more green energy, up to 50%, that the entire grid is stable, and that the capacity has been increased,” Mr. Holness said.
• “So, we are looking at pumped hydro storage…looking at the Mahogany Vale project, which I announced as an important element in our energy mix. I have also met with the International Atomic Agency. Jamaica has to explore new technology in nuclear energy, small nuclear plants to generate energy in Jamaica, which will be cheaper, more stable and more affordable,” he added.
• As it relates to the Vale Project, in March 2023, funds were allocated in the budget to develop the dam as a national priority. The project will form part of a major integrated water and energy project utilising the well-established Pumped Hydro Storage and Hydro Electricity concepts, which the Prime Minister announced last year, to solve Jamaica’s water and energy problems and to make the island a truly green country.
• He also maintained that the Government is serious about insulating the economy from energy shocks and high energy prices. However, these initiatives will not all materialise in two years, and may take up to a decade to be completed.

(Source: JIS)