Jamaica focuses on renewable energy

The government of Jamaica is placing more emphasis on renewable energy in 2007 to reduce its national oil import bill which passed the US 1.5 billion mark this year. And as part of this effort it is privatising the Wigton windfarm in Manchester. Ruth Potopsingh, group Managing Director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica the state agency that owns Wigton, says since the facility opened in 2004 there has been interest from several potential buyers, both local and international.

She says the sale is to be publicly advertised. Government plans to increase the proportion of renewable energy for electricity generation, from five per cent to 15 per cent by 2015 at an estimated cost of 200 million us dollars.

According to energy adviser to the prime minister, Dr. Cezley Sampson, this requires private sector investment.

Links
http://www.pcj.com/ – Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica
http://www.wwfja.com/ – Wigton Wind Farm