Jamaica Discussing LNG Supplies from Algeria
Minister of Energy and Mining James Robertson said
Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Anthony
Johnson, is currently in discussions with Algerian
officials about supplying Jamaica with Liquefied Natural
Gas (LNG).
Minister Robertson was
speaking at a Post Sectoral Debate luncheon and said “we
are waiting on a date to actually be visited or to visit
Algeria to decide on that [the supply]".
He also disclosed that there was a possibility of
obtaining LNG from Venezuela, through the Petro Caribe
arrangements.
"The Venezuelans have the eighth largest LNG reserves in the world. Their commitment is to sign supply contracts with any of the 18 PetroCaribe members, September 2009 to March 10, 2010".
"They have also indicated that any country that requires LNG supplies before 2013, which is when their LNG trains will be ready and available for export, they have guaranteed supplies from Qatar. So, we have commitments and we know when our LNG commercial contracts will be signed and where it will be coming from," he added.
Jamaica gets more useful energy for a unit of LNG than from coal or oil, resulting in greater value for money spent and providing the country with the best opportunity for lower electricity cost, he said.
Mr. Robertson also stated that the Ministry was looking at the possibility of storing the LNG gas in the vicinity of Port Esquivel, Old Harbour, St. Catherine.
"We are looking at
outside of Port Esquivel, Old Harbour...that is the area
we are thinking about. It is the best storing area for
it, and we are already looking at the lands. We plan, as
a Ministry, to give Jamaica its best energy mix and at a
price that will make us competitive and world leaders
and beaters."