Sugar production resumes at Long Pond

Mark Cummings

Thursday, February 23, 2012

CLARKS TOWN, Trelawny - The management of the privately-owned Long Pond Sugar Factory has expressed confidence that the sugar processing plant will save roughly $30 million in electricity costs during the 2011/2012 crop when began yesterday, when compared to fuel charges incurred during the last crop.

According to Andrew Hussey, CEO at Everglades Farms Limited, operators of the factory, the entire electricity needs at the facility will run independently of the Jamaica Public Service during the projected 11- week crop.

" We are generating our own electricity with the overhauling of our turbo generator which has a capacity of 1.6 megawatt and this will now carry the entire electricity load of the factory," he said.

Additionally, the company has purchased a 1.1 megawatt and a 450- kilowatt diesel generators.

"All of this is absolutely good news, but the best news is that the factory has resumed operations," Hussey noted.

"I am extremely happy that Long Pond Sugar Factory is now in a position to return the economic glory to the parish of Trelawny, especially to those folks who have depended on Long Pond over the years as their main source of earning."

The Long Pond factory was sold by government in 2009 to Everglades Farms Limited, but after a disastrous 2009/2010 crop, sugar production was suspended there for one year to facilitate a US$10 million upgrade.

The modernisation of the facility included the overhaul of the power turbines and the mills, installation of generators, the rebuilding of the boilers, as well as repairs to the conveyor system and sugar bin.

The plant is expected to produce 8,000 tonnes of sugar from the milling of 90,000 tonnes of cane during this crop, and will provide employment for 150 persons there.

An additional 350 persons will be employed in the agricultural or field operations on the estate.