Joe Issa Gives Thumbs Up to another Jamaican First, Cites Greater Reliability, Better Positioning

Former St Ann Chamber of Commerce President Joe Issa has given the thumbs up to JPS’ 24.5MW energy storage project now under way, calling it another Jamaican first that will provide greater reliability of power supply, support the country’s renewable energy diversification thrust, and better position the island to attract more foreign direct investments.

“From what I have read, when completed it will be the largest of its kind in the world and will provide Jamaica with a more reliable power supply to fuel industry.

“That’s a sigificant development that will support Jamaica’s renewable energy diversification thrust and make the island more attractive to foreign direct investments,” said Issa.

He added: “Jamaica needs consistent power supply in order to increase its global competitiveness and I think this huge storage capacity will give us the edge over other competing coutries.”

Issa was commenting on the recent ground breaking for the JPS 24.5MW energy-storage facility on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston.

According to the Gleaner, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley who represented the government at the ground breaking, said the JPS will provide the energy storage system characteristics that will address the existing and near future challenges to the ministry for utilisation in the national Integrated Resource Plan.

The grid has been experiencing significant reliability issues associated with intermittent renewable ramping and system trips.

“Simply put, renewables are intermittent by nature. A sunny day can be become overcast, winds can die down, etc. When this happens, there is sudden loss of power supply. This, in turn, leads to power outages, which is why it is important we have this storage facility to smooth over the breaks, “Wheatley reportedly said.

The project which is to cost US$21.6 million is to be undertaken by Micro Grids and Distributed General for North America, ABB, and is scheduled for completion by April 2019, the Gleaner reported.

It cited ABB’s vice-president and general manager Steve Looney assuring that the project would be completed on time and that it would be the largest of its kind in the world, placing Jamaica ahead of other already established renewable energy-ready countries. “It will not be one of. It will be the largest hybrid project in the world,” he was quoted as saying.