TOPIC 'Environment' on Feb 09, 2009 (CET)
Jamaica Seeking To Build Energy Plants That Utilize Waste
The PCJ (Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica) is looking for a partner to build two power plants that will produce energy from waste. The company has recently authored an RFP (request for proposals) from firms with an offer of retaining a 30 percent investment in the facilities. One is to be constructed in St. Andrew and the other in St. James. The plant in St. Andrew will be placed within one mile of the Riverton landfill. Respondents have until April 30 to get their bids in.
PCJ says it’s too early to tell just how much electricity might be generated from the project. It will depend on the technology used, and there are several different technologies that might be suitable for the plants. The expectation is in the neighborhood of between 20-35 MW of electricity that will be generated.
Jamaica’s Government has target goals of utilizing renewable energy of 10 percent by 2010 and 15 percent by 2020. Currently, Jamaica’s percentage is around 5.6 percent renewable energy used.
Hopeton Heron is with PCJ’s Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy (CERE). He is optimistic about partnering with suitable companies. They want to target the United States and Europe with the RFP, as well as various other companies located across the globe that have experience in building this type of facility.
According to statistics provided by PCJ, 940,000 tons of waste was received in disposal sites in the year 2006. This amount is expected to increase by 2010 to 1.2 million tons of waste. The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) projects that 25 percent of domestic waste remains uncollected. This is a vast resource that could be utilized instead of filling up landfills.
Red Energy Group, LLC, based in Washington State in the U.S., maintains a local presence in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. The company hopes to build a 3.5MW “waste-to-energy” facility nearby with biodiesel as a by-product.
Several benefits will weigh to the positive for Jamaica as the country continues with this task. PCJ notes a number of significant benefits to building a waste-to-energy plant. These include: reducing pollution, reducing fire risk at waste disposal sites, reducing rodents, improving national energy security, improving environmental habits such as recycling, and increasing knowledge of innovative technologies.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
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