Clean energy talks

THE UNITED States Agency for International Development (USAID) Caribbean Clean Energy Programme (CARCEP) is working with the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) to boost the electricity sector's operations.

OUR joined forces with USAID CARCEP for technical assistance to develop and promulgate, by this month, five advanced electricity codes that will govern the sector's operation as mandated by the government in the Electricity Act, 2015.

The five draft codes - generation, transmission, distribution, supply and dispatch - were presented at a public workshop held on July 20 at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston.

The workshop aimed to encourage public engagement and input from industry experts on the new codes, which are to provide a road map for electricity sector licensees to conduct their operations.

Presentations were made by USAID CARCEP's technical team - Energy and Regulatory Governance Specialist Elizabeth Butler Esq on the Draft Introduction to the Code Book and a subsequent presentation on the Draft Supply Code, explaining how the Grid Codes were designed and how the Supply Code will assure customer service protection consistent with the Jamaica law.

"OUR's careful work to build a clear and comprehensive Grid Code is an essential step in the ongoing work to drive down electricity costs, and to accelerate renewable energy and energy efficiency in Jamaica," Butler affirmed.

International Consultant and President of the US Company - Electric Power Engineers Inc, Hala Ballouz PE, also presented on the codes.

Ballouz is on a USAID CARCEP-sponsored visit to Jamaica to also lend expert support to OUR.

In her presentation on the Draft Transmission Code she explained the technical guidelines that will control the development, operation and maintenance of the transmission lines in the electric grid, emphasising the integration of renewable energy generation projects.

Valentine Fagan and Aston Stephens, senior engineering consultants of OUR, presented on the generation and distribution codes, respectively.

A final detailed presentation on the Draft Dispatch Code, was made by USAID CARCEP's Deputy Chief of Party and Clean Energy Specialist Dwight DaCosta, explaining the technical and financial guidelines that will control which electricity generators will be called upon to produce electricity for the national electricity grid to meet ever-changing customer demand.

"The Dispatch Code will provide the guidelines to support the fairness, transparency and accountability that stakeholders demand, optimising the use of generation assets to meet the requirements of an evolving dynamic grid," he said.

The workshop saw contributions from over 73 participants representing 25 entities including the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, Development Bank of Jamaica, Future Energy Corporation, National Water Commission (NWC), Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, Planning Institute of Jamaica, University of the West Indies, Mona; Jamaica Public Service Company Limited, Jamaica Broilers Group Limited, Jamaica Promotions Corporation, and Wigton Windfarm Limited.