New Wind Enegy Project
Jamaica Public Service Co. Ltd. has advised that the company is again laying the foundation for another renewable energy project in the area of wind energy, with the prospective wind generation facilities being embarked in the Munro/Hermitage community of St. Elizabeth. This is in keeping with JPS’ commitment to the Government of Jamaica to invest in more renewable energy sources.
This wind project was approved by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) in 2008, when JPS responded to the OUR’s Request for Proposal for additional energy from renewable. The Wind Project will see the erection of four wind turbines, utilizing the most modern engineering design approved for electrical grid application. The Munro renewable project, which should be completed by the 4th quarter of 2010, is expected to add 3 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
In preparation for the new development, JPS will be hosting a public meeting in St. Elizabeth, on February 4, to discuss the Environmental Impact Assessment report, in keeping with the requirements of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). The meeting will commence at 5:00 p.m. in the Richard B. Roper auditorium at Munro College.
Anti-Electricity Theft Campaign 2010
JPS in keeping with its mandate to reduce system losses due to theft of electricity has intensified its anti-theft campaign since the start of 2010. In addition to persons being arrested, there has been removal of 1,129 illegal connections or ‘throw-ups’ have been removed from across Manchester, St. Catherine and the Kingston Metropolitan Area.
Additionally, the Company’s newly created Loss Control Division has inspected several meters and detected irregularities such as line-taps, meter by-passes and meter tampering. The anti-theft strategies have to date contributed to a recovery of an estimated J$6.5 Million. The Company has also earmarked J$6 Billion to spend over the next five (5) years to address these non-technical losses.