Jamaica's wind energy capacity to increase

Jamaica’s energy generating capacity is set to receive a significant boost from the installation of additional wind turbines at the Wigton Windfarm. The new turbines will generate an additional 8MW of wind energy, which is equivalent to over 50 GWH (55,100,000 kWh) of energy.

The expansion project which is expected to post benefits of the equivalent of over 108.3 GWH of wind energy will be produced, over 64,000 barrels of oil will be saved and 90.3 tons of carbon dioxide will be avoided.

As the Ministry of Energy implements strategies to reduce the national dependence on imported oil, Energy Minister Clive Mullings reiterated that “we (Jamaicans) have no choices and we cannot afford to delay in finding other means to responding to the energy crisis.”

The wind farm project is an expansion of the plant and will add another 18 mega watts generating capacity.  In 2003, it took 20 turbines to generate 20.7 mega watts but with the acquisition of 9 turbines from Vestas Wind Systems this will be boosted to 38.7 mega watts.

This new installation will cost US 49.9 million dollars and construction will take approximately a year.  It is expected that by 2010, 15 per cent of energy will be from renewable sources and doubled by the year 2020.

The expansion of the Wigton Windfarm coincides with the Ministry’s mandate for energy diversification to create energy sustainability and security.

Posted 2008 August 22