Mission accomplished
LNG arrives in MoBay for use at JPS’s Bogue plant
TWESTERN BUREAU: HE JAMAICA Public Service Company (JPS) has all but fulfilled its mission to begin utilising liquefied natural gas (LNG) at its plant in Bogue, St James, with Saturday’s arrival of LNG supplies to the Port of Montego Bay in St James.
The supplies will be channelled from the feeder ship Anthony Veder through pipelines to JPS’s Bogue plant for consumption.
Describing the arrival as “a truly historic moment”, JPS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kelly Tomblin said LNG would play a key role in transforming the energy sector, while supporting industrial development and economic growth.
“These are very exciting times for all of us,” noted Tomblin, who was on hand for the ship’s arrival.
“We are definitely on the threshold of great things for Jamaica and the rest of the region.”
Earlier this year, the existing Bogue power plant was upgraded to allow fuelling with either natural gas or automotive diesel oil.
Tomblin pointed out that New
Fortress Energy, the cargo supplier and JPS partner, has invested a total of US$750 million in the construction of its LNG terminal.
JPS and New Fortress have also signed an agreement to extend the supply of gas to Jamaica to a new 190MW power plant at Old Harbour Bay in St Catherine.
CLEAN AIR FOR JAMAICA
New Fortress has agreed to privately finance and develop the infrastructure necessary to deliver LNG to the plant.
Tomblin further advised that the change to LNG means cheaper and cleaner air for the country, saying it further enhances Jamaica’s reputation as a leader in renewable energy in the region.
“Actually, I think we have only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible in the energy sector,” she pointed out. “Any country that has the vision to commit resources to protecting the environment and having clean air for its citizens is a country that is on the road to success.”
For his part, project manager at the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), Keith Mitchell, said the LNG diversification project has resulted in the PAJ fast-tracking its master plan for the development of the Port of Montego Bay into a modern facility with separate berths dedicated to cargo operations and cruise shipping.
“The PAJ is pleased to facilitate and enable the realisation of a national objective which has been in the pipeline for a number of years,” he said.