ONE thousand students are set to receive school supplies and assistance valued at $13 million when New Fortress Energy hosts three back-to-school fairs in partnership with the schools and communities near its energy projects.

The company said in a release yesterday that it will provide back-to-school vouchers of $8,000 each for primary school students and bursaries of $50,000 for fifth- and sixth-form high school students, along with backpacks, school medicals, haircuts, and other supplies.

The first of the three fairs is scheduled for August 8 in the Jamalco Refinery Communities in Clarendon. This will be followed by one in Old Harbour Bay on August 9 and another in Montego Bay on August 17.

According to the release, New Fortress Energy first started Jamaica’s transition to natural gas with its liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Montego Bay, that converted the Jamaica Public Service 120-megawatt Bogue power plant from diesel to natural gas and provides LNG to local partners like Red Stripe.

New Fortress Energy said it is also developing the 94-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant at Jamalco in Halse Hall, Clarendon, and an offshore LNG terminal to provide natural gas to JPS new 190-megawatt power plant in Old Harbour Bay.

Minister of Education Senator Ruel Reid, who is expected to deliver remarks at the Jamalco Refinery Communities Back to School Fair, said: “This is a timely and significant help that will no doubt relieve parents of the predicted financial and emotional strain at this time of year. I commend New Fortress Energy for their continued commitment to education and their effort in helping us fulfil our mission of creating a world-class education system which enables every Jamaican to achieve his or her true potential.”

According to the company’s Vice President for Public Affairs Verona Carter, “Education is essential to sustainable social-economic development and an important part of efforts to strengthen Jamaica’s economy. We’re proud of all these high-performing students who we are able to help reach their potential.”

In addition to the distribution of school supplies, food, drinks and the provision of entertainment, students attending the fair in the Jamalco Refinery Communities will also be introduced to robotics systems at a robotics workshop, which was made possible through a partnership with the World Robotics Olympiad.