JPS to Invest over $800 Million in Munro Wind Project
Only two months after the re-commissioning of the Constant Spring Hydroelectric
Plant, JPS is again laying the foundation for another renewable energy project.
This time the source is wind energy – with the prospective wind generation facilities being earmarked in the
Munro/Hermitage
community of St. Elizabeth.
The project will see the erection of four wind
“The project will see the erection of four wind turbines, utilizing the most modern engineering design...” turbines, utilizing the most modern engineering design approved for electrical grid application. The project will cost JPS over J$800 Million, and is scheduled for completion by the 4th quarter of 2010. It will result in the addition of 3 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
In preparation for the new development, on Thursday,
February 4, JPS hosted a public meeting at Munro
College in St. Elizabeth to discuss the Environmental
Impact Assessment report, in keeping with the requirements of the National
Environment and Planning
Agency (NEPA).
The discussion covered the social and economic impact
Mayor of Black River, His Worship Jeremy Palmer (left), listens keenly as JPS Vice President of Generation Expansion,
Valentine Fagan (centre), explains how the Munro Wind Project, will operate. Also sharing in the moment is Principal of
Munro College, Branford Gayle.
of the wind project on the communities in and around the Hermitage area; the potential impact of the wind farm on the environment and the associated mitigation measures being put in place.
JPS executives assured participants in the meeting that the wind project is likely to generate about 60 jobs during the construction phase.
Principal of Munro Preparatory School,
Janice Simpson (standing), makes a point at the Public Meeting held to discuss the Environmental Impact
Assessment report on the Munro Wind