KINGSTON, Jamaica — Aqvastor Technologies Limited, a subsidiary of Derillion Energy Limited, is to develop a high-voltage battery plant in Lake Pen, St Catherine.

In a release on Thursday, the company said the facility will include automated high-voltage battery assembly and testing capabilities, as well as a complete PCB assembly line, and is expected to support renewable energy projects across the Caribbean.

“We are thrilled to move forward with this exciting venture in Jamaica,” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Derillion Group, Simon Piggott. “Our new high-voltage battery plant will help fuel the growing demand for clean energy storage and is a testament to our commitment to innovation in the green energy space.”

Phase One of the project will focus on the assembly and testing of high-voltage batteries, with an annual production capacity of 200 MWh. Phase Two will expand into sodium-ion battery cell production, supplying up to 500 MWh per year to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) region.

The plant will incorporate the company’s proprietary ZEROD technology, which carries a 20-year capacity performance warranty.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Jamaican government, particularly JAMPRO (Jamaica Promotions Corporation) and the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, for their invaluable support in navigating the approvals process,” added Simon Piggott. “Their guidance has been essential in bringing this project to fruition.”

The first customer for the new battery technology will be Derillion Energy Jamaica Limited through its Mona Reservoir Floating Solar and Energy Storage Project. Following Cabinet approvals in 2022, the project has secured permits from the National Environment and Planning Agency and the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, as well as a generating license from the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport. Construction is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.

Among those acknowledged for support were Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz; Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Aubyn Hill; and Shullette Cox, president of JAMPRO.