Seventy net billing licences have been issued to power

suppliers since the start of the year, bringing to 800 the total number of

licences that have been approved since the arrangement started in 2012.

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Fayval

Williams, made the disclosure during her opening remarks at the MPC Renewable

Energy Forum, held on Tuesday, October 1, at the Spanish Court Hotel in New

Kingston.

Net billing is a facility that allows people to sell

the excess power generated from renewable sources in accordance with a net

billing licence and a contract with the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited

(JPS).

“At the policy level, we will be revising our national

energy policy and subpolicies to further develop the energy sector and

establish new targets, especially for renewable energy, energy efficiency and

conservation,” she said.

Williams said that the Ministry recognises the

importance of harnessing the potential of renewable energy sources to secure

Jamaica’s energy future, and as a result is always seeking new opportunities

and partnerships to build the sector.

She lauded MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Limited for its

investment in the renewable energy sector and for helping the country to lead

the Caribbean in its renewable energy thrust, through the erection of the

Paradise Solar Energy Park in Westmoreland, which is the largest in the region

with a 51-megawatt solar plant.