Dear Editor,

In your editorial of Thursday, October 17, 2013, you comment that Mott MacDonald does not seem competent enough to bring Jamaica to the point of a successful energy project. We beg to differ.

Our work to date has been focused on the impartial technical, financial, implementation and economic evaluation of bids received. We have made independent recommendations as to the best way forward, whilst highlighting the risks involved, as in any tendering process.

Since issuing our recommendation we have not been asked for any further inputs.

We understand that the first-ranked bidder has failed to provide a bond; something not entirely unexpected given the risks we highlighted regarding its financial status, and attention has now focused on the second-ranked bidder.

The evaluation of power plant tenders is routine business for us worldwide, and we routinely support governments and regulatory authorities in managing the challenges of achieving successful project delivery by successful bidders. We stand ready, if requested, to resume our support to the Office of Utilities Regulation in resolving these issues to bring forward this much-needed new electricity generating capacity to support the growth and development of Jamaica and the welfare of its people.

Conor O’Donovan

Director

Mott MacDonald