The Energy Minister said nothing in Parliament yesterday?

[Assasin]

When has there been a new iniative in the US of A?

[Muadib]

How long do you think it would take to analyze all the energy alternatives and product a report on issues and concerns in applicability of each to Jamaica ??

[1of1]

"Mainly announcing the furthering of programs instituted by the previous regime and deciding on coal over LNG as the energy source of choice.... without announcing specific investments in coal-fired plants."

[Muadib]

New initiatives such as what ?

There you all go again.. it is not about re-creating the wheel.. it is about making decisions based on intelligent analysis of what the 'real world' is doing , determing was is applicable to Jamaica and implementing without shooting yourself in the foot or totally effing up the process...

The previous admin made this look like trying to create the universe..

I don't know if there has been a more inept Govt in the modern history of this hemisphere..

[Rockman]

Any end(in sight) to Shaw's audit of FINSAC?




Blessed

[Don1]

This is it?


LNG out
Net metering still up in air

Wednesday, July 02, 2008


Energy Minister Clive Mullings has all but dropped liquified natural gas (LNG) off the list of fuel alternatives to oil in Jamaica's energy diversification plan going forward.
Yesterday, in his sectoral debate presentation to parliament, he outlined the major factors which weighed in against the use of LNG in Jamaica, not least of all was the affordability of infrastructure.
"LNG is a possible fuel type but international experience, has shown that for it to be viable there needs to be a demand in excess of 600 megawatts (MW)," asserted the energy minister. "The high cost of infrastructure would require that nearly all the generation capacity of the country be converted at the same time to use LNG. We cannot afford to rely on any one fuel type Mr Speaker. The risk would be too great."
Currently, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and independent power producers have installed capacity of 880MW generated from relatively small scale units, which primarily utilise heavy fuel oil and diesel.
Jamaica's peak demand is 630 MW.
"Fuel diversification is not only to deal with the challenge of high prices but also to guarantee security of supply. In this regard, there is growing concern around the world about the availability of LNG, the high demand and the continuing impact this will have on prices," he continued.

Mullings highlighted the 100 MW petcoke generating plant currently being pursued at Hunt's Bay as a major part of the government's energy diversification strategy.
The state-owned refinery will upgrade its facility to supply the fuel to the plant and the government will own 40 per cent of the new generating plant through a joint venture agreement with JPS.
The signing on the new agreement will take place in a few days.
Mullings outlined coal as another viable option.
"Coal can viably be introduced with small scale units delivering 100 -150 MW of electricity," he said. "This is suitable to the requirements of our power system and the retirement schedule for old inefficient plants."

Bauxite/alumina companies located in Jamaica and power sector players have already indicated their willingness to install coal plants.
The energy minister plans to encourage them to "share in the cost of developing a single coal-receiving facility, which would have the effect of lowering the price at which electricity can be supplied to the grid and for use in their own operations."

"The debate over fuel types has occupied us for upwards of three years, and while we talk the price is skyrocketing. Mr Speaker, we dare not dither any longer. It is time to take action."
The issue of net metering, where JPS customers who generate their own electricity can sell excess power to the grid at equal prices, was left in the air.
Mullings said that the matter needed further examination.
"The customers are saying it is unfair for JPS to pay a rate which is lower than the rate it charges them," Mullings added. "On the other hand Mr Speaker, JPS contends that there has to be a charge for the use and maintenance of its infrastructure. We will have to find a solution that is reasonable to all parties."
The minister plans to propose to the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) "that they examine whether the problem may be solved by charging these customers an annual fee as a contribution to the cost of the infrastructure".

Very underwhelming presentation from this minister.... virtually no entirely NEW significant initiatives.

Mainly announcing the furthering of programs instituted by the previous regime and deciding on coal over LNG as the energy source of choice.... without announcing specific investments in coal-fired plants.

They had no ideas while in opposition?

[Lazie]

Flexi-work wk. to be implemented in Energy Ministry

Wednesday, 02 July 2008

The Energy Ministry is endorsing renewed calls for flexi-work week arrangements.
During Tuesday's sitting of Parliament, Energy Minister Clive Mullings said his Ministry will implement a version of the flexi work week in a bid to conserve energy.

"The idea of staggered working arrangements has been debated extensively and there are concerns, however, it is possible to contract the number of work days while not compromising the quality of the service you are providing to customers.
It is this assessment which now propels us to introduce a project in the Ministry of Energy to stagger working hours beginning in September," said Mr. Mullings.

The Energy Minister added that technology was being put in place to manage the arrangement.

[1of1]

Good move

I'm wondering though why is it that diesel is so expensive at the pumps,
that question was asked in parliament but no reply was given

Just want to know

[Lazie]

Ethanol blends to fuel vehicles by December

BY December, motorists will be able to access ethanol-blended fuel at service stations, as the Government moves to ease the effects of the spiralling cost of oil on the transportation sector.
As part of its overall strategy to reduce energy costs, the administration has also announced plans to use petcoke from its upgraded Petrojam refinery to fuel a 100-megawatt plant at Hunts Bay in Kingston. Petcoke is similar to coal, but costs less.
Energy Minister Clive Mullings made the announcement in his contribution to the 2008/2009 Sectoral Debate in Parliament yesterday.

First step: e-10
Mullings said the first step of the initiative would involve replacing 10 per cent gasolene at the pumps with ethanol or e-10.
More than 23 countries have implemented ethanol projects. Brazil started from in the 1970s in response to the first oil crisis.
Jamaica now has the capability to produce ethanol that satisfies world standards.

Mullings mentioned that Infinity Bio-Fuel, a company from Brazil, would be acquiring the Government's sugar holdings in September. Infinity is one of the leading producers of ethanol in Brazil.
He said sugar cane in Jamaica would be used to produce both sugar and ethanol.

Construction on a storage facility for ethanol in western Jamaica is expected to begin soon, according to the minister.
In this regard, he said the Government has allocated $300 million and equipment has already been ordered.
Mullings advised that experts had assured him that motor vehicles currently in the island could use e-10.

Educating the public
A public education programme will be launched soon to provide more details about the project.
Commenting on the use of petcoke to fuel the plant, Mullings said this would result in the removal of an old, inefficient generating plant.
"I am pleased to announce that the Government will own 40 per cent of this new plant," he said, adding that a joint venture agreement would be signed with the Jamaica Public Service Company shortly.
The price of a barrel of oil closed at US$140.67 yesterday, and there are projections that with the current rate of increase, Jamaica could incur US$3.5 billion (J$248.5 billion) in imports this year.

Govt's energy initiatives
Introduction of e-10 (10 per cent ethanol in gasolene) on a phased basis in the Corporate Area, Clarendon, St Catherine, St Thomas and Portland
Islandwide use of e-10 by April 2009
e-10 is fully compatible with existing gasolene blends

[Lazie]

This is it?


LNG out
Net metering still up in air

Wednesday, July 02, 2008


Energy Minister Clive Mullings has all but dropped liquified natural gas (LNG) off the list of fuel alternatives to oil in Jamaica's energy diversification plan going forward.
Yesterday, in his sectoral debate presentation to parliament, he outlined the major factors which weighed in against the use of LNG in Jamaica, not least of all was the affordability of infrastructure.
"LNG is a possible fuel type but international experience, has shown that for it to be viable there needs to be a demand in excess of 600 megawatts (MW)," asserted the energy minister. "The high cost of infrastructure would require that nearly all the generation capacity of the country be converted at the same time to use LNG. We cannot afford to rely on any one fuel type Mr Speaker. The risk would be too great."
Currently, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and independent power producers have installed capacity of 880MW generated from relatively small scale units, which primarily utilise heavy fuel oil and diesel.
Jamaica's peak demand is 630 MW.
"Fuel diversification is not only to deal with the challenge of high prices but also to guarantee security of supply. In this regard, there is growing concern around the world about the availability of LNG, the high demand and the continuing impact this will have on prices," he continued.

Mullings highlighted the 100 MW petcoke generating plant currently being pursued at Hunt's Bay as a major part of the government's energy diversification strategy.
The state-owned refinery will upgrade its facility to supply the fuel to the plant and the government will own 40 per cent of the new generating plant through a joint venture agreement with JPS.
The signing on the new agreement will take place in a few days.
Mullings outlined coal as another viable option.
"Coal can viably be introduced with small scale units delivering 100 -150 MW of electricity," he said. "This is suitable to the requirements of our power system and the retirement schedule for old inefficient plants."

Bauxite/alumina companies located in Jamaica and power sector players have already indicated their willingness to install coal plants.
The energy minister plans to encourage them to "share in the cost of developing a single coal-receiving facility, which would have the effect of lowering the price at which electricity can be supplied to the grid and for use in their own operations."

"The debate over fuel types has occupied us for upwards of three years, and while we talk the price is skyrocketing. Mr Speaker, we dare not dither any longer. It is time to take action."
The issue of net metering, where JPS customers who generate their own electricity can sell excess power to the grid at equal prices, was left in the air.
Mullings said that the matter needed further examination.
"The customers are saying it is unfair for JPS to pay a rate which is lower than the rate it charges them," Mullings added. "On the other hand Mr Speaker, JPS contends that there has to be a charge for the use and maintenance of its infrastructure. We will have to find a solution that is reasonable to all parties."
The minister plans to propose to the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) "that they examine whether the problem may be solved by charging these customers an annual fee as a contribution to the cost of the infrastructure".