GOJ approves new licence commencing April 2023

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Jamaica’s renewable energy company, Wigton Windfarm Limited has won another 20-year generation licence from the Government of Jamaica.

Wigton, which is a publicly listed company on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), has advised that the Cabinet of Jamaica considered and approved the grant of the 20-year generation licence by Minister with responsibility for Energy Daryl Vaz. The new licence, which will enable the continuation of the generating capacity of the company through Phase I of its operations, commences on April 2023.

Wigton Phase I, which represents 20.7MW of the company’s generating capacity, was commissioned in 2004 for a total contractual and licence period of 20 years, expiring in 2024.  Wigton, accordingly, requested of the minister the grant of a further generation licence under the Electricity Act, 2015 to continue operations beyond 2024.

While the approval of Cabinet represents a critical step in the continuation of the operations of Wigton Phase I, the renewable energy company must now negotiate with other key stakeholders to include its suppliers, financiers, its sole customer, the Jamaica Public Service Company and the regulator, the Office of Utilities Regulation.

This, in order to determine the final cost of equipment, overall project financial viability, applicable tariff, agreed to terms and conditions of sale of the capacity generated and ultimately, a decision as to whether to commission a renewed Wigton Phase I.

Wigton, in a regulatory filing to the JSE, says it will continue to provide updates as matters progress.