JAMAICA Energy Partners (JEP) says it plans to go after the 300-400 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity build out expected in Jamaica over the next five years and has already started discussions with its technology partner — Finnish firm, Wartsila — on how to provide it.

What’s more, Jamaica’s largest private power provider is eyeing expansion into the Caribbean with the Cayman Islands and Haiti topping the list.

“The sky is the limit,” said JEP plant manager Cecil Gordon of expansion plans. “We look at countries that have a need and we are looking at countries like Haiti, because they are poised for development.”

Gordon told the Business Observer that attempts to expand into Cayman were thwarted by the economic downturn but he remains optimistic about regional expansion.

JEP already is expected to deliver an additional 65.5 MW of generated electricity to the national grid by the end of 2011 through its new medium-diesel plant slated for construction in West Kingston, which will bring its total supply to 190 MW. But the demand for an additional 300-400 MW over the next five years projected by the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) will largely be met by natural gas-fired plants, in response to a Government initiative to reduce its reliance on petroleum-based fuel for generating electricity.

Wartsila Caribbean general manager for services, Marc Tarbox anticipates little difficulty in converting JEP’s existing plant to burn natural gas, but the cost benefits to be derived from switching the fuel will depend largely on the quality of gas supplied.

“The natural gas grade relates to methan number,” Tarbox explained. “A lower grade gas will require compressor and consumes more internal energy, which means less output to JPS.”

Both Gordon and Tarbox also expressed concern over future supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as historical evidence suggests inconsistency.

For its part, however, Wartsila wants also focus on providing back-up to electric grids that are relying more on renewable energy. According to Tarbox, grids require fast responding generating back-ups to replace renewable energy solutions when the natural resource falters.

“The wind does not blow all the time,” he quipped.

Wartsila, a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions, recently held its Consumer Technical Seminar at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.