THE $25 million Wigton Windfarm has started to supply power to the Jamaica Public Service Company’s grid on a trial basis with 14 of the Central Manchester farm’s 23 wind turbines commissioned into service.

The other nine will come on-stream this weekend.

The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica’s wind energy project will generate 20.7 megawatts of electricity at peak production. The electricity is being sold to the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd under a private power agreement.

The construction and commissioning phases of the project, which was expected to take 12 months, was actually completed in seven months.

The Wigton Windfarm is part of the PCJ’s strategy to implement renewable energy as mandated by the Government of Jamaica.

The contractor for the Wigton Windfarm is the UK-based Renewable Systems Ltd (RES). The company has worked across the globe to develop, build and run wind farms and their contract for the local project includes overall responsibility for the construction, as well as civil and electrical works.

NEG Micon of Holland (recently merged with Vestas Wind Systems) is the supplier for the wind turbines. The Jamaica project has brought the number of NEG Micon installations worldwide to some 11,000 units in 40 countries worldwide.

In addition, NEG Micon will provide a five-year warranty on the equipment and during this period it is expected that transfer of knowledge will be effected by the training of Jamaicans in wind technology operations.