KINGSTON, Jamaica – The first Jamaican entity to bid for the construction of a power plant on the island is confident that with its collective track record of achievements, its proposal can make the difference in lowering the cost of energy.

The Amorview-Tank Weld joint venture, featuring the Wartsila Flexicycle tri-fueled plant, is comprised of Tank Weld Group and Armorview Holdings (a joint venture between Musson (Jamaica) Ltd and energy expert Nigel Davy). 

The group has in excess of 30 years experience in the electric energy sector and has developed, constructed, operated and asset-managed power plants with combined capacity of in excess of 400 megawatts, valued at over US$700 million.

The Amorview-Tank Weld team has already mobilised equity investors, including Wartsila – a EU4.7 billion per year global energy leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the energy and marine markets – and a Jamaican investment group slated to put up project equity in excess of US$60 million.

“We are confident that the project will yield significant benefits to the Jamaican economy and environment, including low cost of energy, job creation, improvement in the balance of payments and the resultant growth in the island’s GDP,” said Chris Bicknell, Group CEO of Tank Weld. This project can reduce the country’s balance of payments by more than US$300 million per year, through savings in fuel costs as a result of greater efficiency, he noted.

According to Davy, the proposal is for two plants to be constructed at different sites – one with 240 megawatt capacity and the other 120 megawatts, both of which will feature Wartsila Flexicycle tri-fueled engines designed to burn either – or in combination – natural gas, heavy fuel oil and No. 2 automotive diesel oil. He said the equipment to be used would also ensure reduced green house gas emission.

“Our plants will also reduce the island’s carbon footprint by in excess of 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent CO2E with the removal of older and inefficient equipment,” Davy said. He added that: “Since our project can efficiently burn gas or heavy fuel oil, we can commence construction now and pass on immediate savings to the consumer; then as soon as LNG arrives we can pass on more savings.”

Bicknell also noted that about 3,000 jobs will be created at the peak of the construction period slated to run from 18 to 24 months.