$15 million monthly light bill prompts UTech to go fully solar
Published:Saturday | October 19, 2024 | 7:07 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
The University of Technology (UTech) has announced plans to transition fully to solar energy to reduce its monthly electricity bill of approximately $15 million. The university is currently seeking a company to front the initial capital required for the project.
Dr Kevin Brown, president of UTech, revealed that an energy audit conducted by an overseas company determined that the Old Hope Road, St Andrew campus would require two megawatts of solar power to completely disconnect from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) grid.
“We are currently developing the technical requirements and engaging with potential providers to review proposals and select a supplier for next year,” Dr Brown stated.
He emphasised the need for a partner who could assume the upfront capital costs.
“Ideally, we need a provider willing to cover the installation expenses, allowing us to work out a repayment plan over a specified period. If a company proposes a deal where we pay $5 million to $7 million – almost half of our current monthly bill – over a five-to-seven-year period, and they cover the entire installation, then that would be an ideal solution,” he told The Gleaner.
Dr Brown highlighted that the rising temperatures due to climate change have significantly increased the university’s energy expenses, as the campus buildings were not designed to handle such extreme heat.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, global average temperatures have set new monthly records for at least 13 consecutive months. Jamaica’s Meteorological Service has also forecast a 40-per-cent likelihood of above-normal temperatures from September to November.
To combat the increasing heat, UTech has invested heavily in air-conditioning units.
“We have nearly 1,000 AC units across the campus, which significantly impacts our electricity bill,” Dr Brown explained.
“Maintaining these units also incurs high costs. When they fail, which happens occasionally, we must send staff home or make alternate arrangements, such as remote work, because the environment becomes unbearable for both staff and students.”
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
During UTech’s inaugural International Climate Change Conference on Thursday, held under the theme ‘Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Climate Departure’, Dr Brown discussed the impact of climate change on the university’s finances.
“We aim to raise awareness among Jamaicans about the real and pressing threat of climate change. As a university, we are committed to research, innovation, and supporting resilience efforts by improving our built environment,” he said.
Despite these efforts, Dr Brown acknowledged the challenges posed by the university’s ageing infrastructure. However, he expressed satisfaction with the additional $2.3 billion allotted in the national supplemental budget, which will be used to upgrade the campus facilities.
“We welcome this funding, as it allows us to address not only the climate-change challenges, such as procuring and repairing air conditioning units, but also to repair our deteriorating infrastructure,” he concluded.