Dear Editor,

I see that there are three bidders left for the construction of the 360-MW energy plant: Energy World International, Energize Jamaica and Optimal Energy (in that order). But, really, there seems to be really only two left, as Energize Jamaica and Optimal Energy are linked.

Richard Byles raised a red flag about the now preferred bidder, and TVJ subsequently raised serious doubts, after what seems a reasonable investigation, about Energy World International’s capability to do the job. I was enlightened and disturbed about their reported ability to perform with a power plant that uses only natural gas, which might not be available in the short-term.

Google is a really good way to see associations. First, I see Flexi-Cycle mentioned in relation with Energize Jamaica’s bid. It’s a registered trademark of Wartsila. Flexi-Cycle is associated with a company infomercial saying it offers power plants of 100 to 500MW. Wartsila is associated with Asea Brown Boveri (ABB), which is noted for power plants. Wartsila produces gas (not gasoline) fired 18.32MW each, so I would deduce they would use 20 engines and a spare or two. Then, Wartsila +ABB was associated with the December 24, 2008 commissioning of the gas or oil (Flex-Fuel) fired Sangachal 300-MW power plant in Azerbaijan. They constructed the two power barges, Doctor Bird I and II — which are serving us well, with cheap power, before Jamaica Public Service (JPS) adds their profit.

I can’t really see why, with CURE’s court ruling, Jamaica Energy Partners can’t sell us power directly and pay JPS a fee for using the transmission system, which I suppose is among the 4,698 power plants (totalling 53,700MW) they’ve built worldwide — that’s a lot of power plant experience and capability to perform. Also, with that many plants in operation, spare parts will be available, a very important factor in Jamaica, seeing that we run our power plants into the ground, with a history of plants operating for as much as 45, 41 and 37 years

As an engineer, I’d say, look at the hard engineering capability. That said, Energize Jamaica, which includes Wartsila, are the better bet; never mind Rodger McKenzie of Kingston Venture Capital’s and others saying that EWI is the best bidder because of the financial part and use of natural gas only.

Howard Chin, PE

St Andrew