Prime Minister Andrew Holness believes that Jamaica can potentially host more renewable-energy sources to add up to 50 per cent of electricity to the national grid by 2030, which would also give the country more options for cleaner energy.
Energization of the Paradise Park Solar Farm in Jamaica and commencement of its operations
Ribbon cutting ceremony at Paradise Park solar farm, October 2, 2019.
Neoen, one of the world’s leading renewable energy independent power producers and the majority shareholder in Paradise Park, a 51.5 MWp PV farm based in Westmoreland, Jamaica, together with the solar park’s co-shareholders, Rekamniar Frontier Ventures and MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Fund, is today announcing the energization and commencement of its operations at the plant. The construction and maintenance of the project was awarded to Eiffage Energía.
Neoen, together with Rekamniar, won in a tender launched by the Jamaican Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR). Paradise Park now delivers to Jamaica’s national utility, the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited, the cheapest electrical energy ever produced in Jamaica - with a base tariff of USD 85/MWh - through a 20-year power purchase agreement.
Xavier Barbaro, CEO of Neoen, stated: “The start of operations of the Paradise Park solar farm is an important achievement for Neoen and combines significant economic impact by producing the cheapest electricity on the island with a strong social impact through the creation of more than 300 direct jobs during the construction period and the training of students of surrounding communities in partnership with the Clinton Foundation. The development and construction of Paradise Park illustrates Neoen’s unique capabilities to bring together, in partnership with Jamaican local and international stakeholders, first class lenders such as Proparco and FMO, donors such as USAID and leading construction and equipment manufacturers. We are proud to have delivered this flagship project and look forward to capitalizing on this successful experience.”
Angella Rainford, Managing Director of Rekamniar Frontier Ventures, said: “The Paradise Park project exemplifies the possibility for Jamaica and other emerging market countries to achieve cost savings while enhancing sustainability and resilience in their economies through the adoption of renewables. At Rekamniar, we are proud to have been a part of this significant achievement by the Jamaican people. We continue to develop such projects across the region and, via our sister company, Soleco Energy, are implementing a complementary distributed generation strategy for the Caribbean.”
Solar Partners Set Up Offices In Kingston - Eight Rivers Project 50% Complete; Investors Hunting More Business
Ground Broken for U$60m solar-powered plant in Westmoreland
Ground Broken for the Largest Solar Plant in the Caribbean
Caribbean's largest solar-powered plant in Jamaica
Eight Rivers presents at CREF 2017
Eight Rivers to Start Construction of 37MW PV plant in Jamaica by December
Eight Rivers Energy Company expects to start construction of the largest solar energy plant in Jamaica by December, according to local newspaper »The Gleaner«. The solar plant with a capacity of 37 MW is located at Paradise Park, Westmoreland. It would become nearly twice the size of the largest solar plant in Jamaica, says the article.
Eight Rivers Near Ready to Roll On Solar Plant, Takes On New Partners
Angella Rainford, partner in Eight Rivers Energy Company, expects to start construction of the largest solar energy plant in Jamaica by December.
Concurrently, Rainford expressed a "keen" interest in participating in additional energy projects. She explained that the energy storage remains a likely option. In such a case, the company's solar plant would sell excess energy generated during the day for sale at night to the national energy grid.
Renewable Energy Boost - Clinton Foundation Confident That Jamaica Will Tap Into More Natural Resources For Power Grid
Around the world, the Clinton Foundation works to promote clean energy projects in island nations.
These projects - power plants that harness the sun, wind, and heat from beneath the earth's surface to generate renewable energy - can be a significant boon to the communities where they exist, with cleaner air, lower cost to produce electricity, and more jobs in an emerging sector.
Rekamniar invited to speak at the CREF 2017
CREF 2017, the largest annual gathering of the Caribbean energy market, will take place at the JW Marriott Marquis, Miami, from October 18th-20th. 500 attendees from 50 countries attended CREF 2016. Over 20 Caribbean countries were represented. Rekamniar has been invited to showcase the Eight Rivers project at this year's conference.