Jamaica Diversifying Power Generation Mix

• Jamaica's GPE has launched a tender for 100 MW renewable energy supply
• Eligible technologies are wind, solar PV, biogas, biomass and hydro power
• JPS will be the offtaker for these projects; the tender is open to both local and international bidders

The Jamaican government has invited bids for the supply of up to 100 MW renewable energy capacity under a tender launched by the Generation Procurement Entity (GPE). The sole electricity distributor of the country Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) will be the offtaker.

Established by the government to process new power generation capacity, GPE conducts competitive auctions to select and contract independent power producers (IPP) and other entities to build renewable energy projects in the country.

According to a BNamericas news, GPE received expressions of interest (EOI) for a total of 2.697 GW from 42 local and international companies for a 100 MW renewable energy tender launched in May 2023. It was to be followed up with an RFP round in September 2023.

GPE specifies wind, solar PV, biomass, biogas and hydro power as the technologies of choice under the request for proposal (RFP) for 100 MW tender. Interested bidders may also offer hybrid projects, for instance wind and solar PV or solar PV and hydro, with or without storage facilities.

While the power generating units may not be co-located, but these need to have a single interconnection point. The minimum capacity to enter the fray is 5 MW and maximum 50 MW, to be executed on build-own-operate (BOO) basis.

Solar PV projects awarded must be realized within 24 months from the date of execution, while those belonging to other technologies will need to come online within 30 months. The tender is open to both domestic and international bidders.

The RFP was issued on September 18, 2023 with the last date of bid submission being February 1, 2024. Details are available on GPE's website.    

Petroleum and liquid natural gas account for 88% of the country's current electricity supply, while solar power's share stands at 3% among renewables. Jamaica aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its total grid-connected capacity mix to 50% by 2030. This 100 MW tender will contribute to the achievement of this target, according to the tender document.

In 2021, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) was looking for consultants to help Jamaica frame its renewable energy generation procurement guidelines (see IDB Supporting Jamaica's RE Plans).