Preferred bidder selected for Jamaican solar PV project

Jamaican Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has selected Eight Rivers Energy Company Limited (EREC) as the preferred bidder for the development of a 33.1 MW solar photovoltaic power-generation facility at Paradise Park, Westmoreland.

The company had proposed an all-in-tariff price of US$0.085 KWh, which has been significantly cheaper than the other 18 proposals which took part in the procurement process for the 37 MW renewable energy project.

According to sources Albert Gordon, director general of the OUR, said:

"The OUR is pleased with the proposed all-in tariff of 8.54 US cents/kWh, which we believe has set the pricing bar for future renewable projects."

Minister of Science Energy and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley noted:

"This project marks the lowest cost ever for solar power in Jamaica, and also advances Government's major policy objective, namely, the diversification of Jamaica's energy supply mix to reduce cost and dependence on imported oil".