Friday, January 5 – Kingston, Jamaica: – Innovative Energy Company DBA IEC SPEI Limited (formerly IEC SPEI Limited), having recently signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Huawei, has signed a major Photo Voltaic Solar Contract with MBJ Airports Limited. IEC is joint venturing with Wigton Windfarm Limited as part of both companies’ continued thrust to transform the renewable energy landscape in Jamaica and the region.
This project, valued at over JM$1 Billion, is the third phase of MBJ Airports Limited’s foray into green energy for the airport. IEC completed phase 2 and will undertake phase 3 with Wigton.
The scope of this phase of the project is to design, build, and maintain a 5.7 MWdc PV solar system and a 4MW/6MWh Battery Energy Storage System. The duration of the project is 300 days with plans to commence in January 2024.
IEC will be using Huawei Inverters and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which will be the first of its kind in the private sector in Jamaica. “Another unique component of the project will be the floating photovoltaic (PV) solar energy, a technological solution to expand the growth of renewable energy that floats on a body of water. We have record of only one other small-scale demonstration floating solar project on the island prior,” explained Nigel Davy, IEC’s Executive Chairman.
The project will support the long-term vision of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (MBJ) to raise the level of use of more sustainable renewable energy. In fact, this project will see the Sangster International Airport becoming substantially energy-independent, making it among the airports with the lowest carbon footprint in this hemisphere.
Executive Chairman Nigel Davy said, “IEC is delighted to have Joint Ventured with Wigton to bring cutting edge RE + Huawei Battery Energy Storage technology to MBJ Airports Limited.”
Mr. Shane Munroe, CEO of MBJ Airports Limited added that he is equally delighted to have a local company bring this technology to the airport. He stated that the project “will significantly reduce the greenhouse gas footprint of the Sangster International Airport, which is among MBJ Airports Limited’s ESG goals.”
As part of the contract, IEC being a Huawei Strategic Partner, will provide warranty support for all equipment and end-to-end monitoring and maintenance support for the project over 10 years.
As the world enters a new era of carbon neutrality, Jamaica has established 2037 as its target date to achieve 50% renewable energy generation capacity, with solar power becoming the primary source. This project contributes to this government imperative.
“The implementation of solar energy not only improves the world’s carbon emissions but presents a huge opportunity for job creation and investment,” Davy said, adding, “At peak, we will employ over 50 construction workers, and over time, three engineers will be added to our team for technical support, for this and our other projects.”
The start of this phase of the project at the Sangster International Airport and the partnership with Huawei embodies IEC’s (and by extension the recently acquired Ciboney Group Limited, now the Innovative Energy Group Limited) vision and mission. It will enable the airport to become the leading green energy airport in the Caribbean and one of IEC’s and Huawei’s goals is to replicate the project throughout the region.
