THE Hampton School in St Elizabeth has saved close to $5 million on its electricity bills since 2015.

The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) said in a recent release that this was possible through the successful execution of two energy- intervention projects at the institution by the PCJ.

According to the release, under a $62-million solar photovoltaic (PV) project implemented at 15 schools to reduce public sector energy bills, the PCJ installed a 10kWh solar PV system at Hampton in 2015. The system, which the release said includes 42 solar panels, three grid-tied inverters and a data logger, cost $3 million.

PCJ said since installation, the intervention has reduced the school’s energy consumption by 28,457.19kWh, which has resulted in savings of more than $830,000 on electricity bills.

The release also said PCJ executed a $6-million light-emitting diode (LED) lighting upgrade project at the institution in 2016, which has generated savings of more than $3.9 million for the school.

At a recent handing-over ceremony at the school, Principal Rosanne Lounges said: “I am very happy and grateful that Hampton School is among the beneficiaries of energy-intervention projects carried out by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica.”

In the meantime, Dr Peter Ruddock, the PCJ’s manager, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, said the projects carried out at Hampton are part of the company’s efforts to reduce public sector energy cost through renewable energy and energy efficiency interventions.

“We are pleased with the results of the projects as both undertakings have generated savings and cut back on expenses that would have otherwise been incurred by the school.

“I want to encourage everyone to play their role in ensuring that the projects are maintained so that the school can continue to reap savings for years to come,” Ruddock is quoted as saying in the release.