100% Renewable Jamaica
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| Jamaica currently have the largest wind farm in the English Speaking Caribbean. Kimroy Bailey |
Jamaica, “the Sunshine capital of the Caribbean”, “the Windy Tropical escape”, “the Land of Wood and Water”. Popular lines used to describe our country and coincidentally provides solid proof to the vast resources we can use to produce green, natural, renewable energy. Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources that can replenish itself, such as the wind, the sun, the rain: wind is always blowing, the sun always shines, rain will always cause the rivers to flow etc. Renewable energy generation therefore is converting these natural resources to every day energy such as electricity.
Jamaica currently generates about 90% of our electrical energy from oil, which is imported at about US$100 per barrel. The island consumed a total of 60,000 barrels of oil PER DAY in 2010! More than22 MILLIONbarrels were consumed in that year. With a growing population and an increase in the usage of consumer electronics those figures have sky rocketed since 2010 and will continue to rise.
Jamaica has the potential to stop importing oil for electrical energy, Yes! STOP importing every single portion of the 60,000+ barrels we use daily for electricity.
The Sun
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| Solar Farm – Generates energy from the sun |
“Aye what a sun hot!” How many times have we had to use that expression in a given day?… Even in mid winter when most of the globe is freezing its like Jamaica’s sun never sets!… This can offset our oil importation bill by 50%, If the ‘sunshine capital of the Caribbean’ can adopt and apply solar technology to make use of your sunny days and clear blue skies. Jamaica is listed as one of the countries with excellent Solar Thermal Power Plant potential, according to [1]. Countries like Spain, UK and other European nations with large scale solar plants would cherish the opportunity to take advantage of our year-round sunlight exposure.
~ Wind ~
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| Kimroy Bailey working as a Wind Engineer Intern at the Wigton Wind Farm, Jamaica. |
The Caribbean is ranked among the top three windiest regions across the globe for offshore wind energy harvesting [2]. It is no coincidence therefore that we are prone to an average of 13 tropical storms annually.
We should Put the Wind to Work for our Country
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| Offshore Wind turbines on the sea – Produce energy from the wind |
Offshore Wind Energy is generating electricity by placing wind turbines in the sea as can be seen in the photo attached. Since our beautiful country is blessed by being an island this grants us the unique opportunity to research ideal offshore locations around the perimeter of the country to place wind turbines. This will afford us to reserve our land for agriculture, solar and manufacturing and the sea for energy generation to offset another 30% of our oil importation.
Jamaica Tropical Storm Robotic Wind Turbine: Jamaica Placed 2nd in Global Research Competition
Water
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| Typical river found in the hilly areas of the island |
“From river side to mountain, from cane piece to the sea”; Jamaica is one of the most mountainous islands in the Caribbean and boast the highest peak in the English speaking region, with the Blue Mountains. If there is anything synonymous with our high mountains it’s strong wind and countless rivers. The Rio Minho, Rio Cobre, Martha Brae, Black River, Dunns River… and the over 100 other strong water bodies across the island posses tons of hydro energy that can be harnessed to supply another 10% of the island’s energy demand.So we have thus far identified how 90% of Jamaica’s electrical energy can be supplied using renewable energy (wind, solar, hydro). Another 5% can be supplied using other forms of sustainable technology such as Biofuel from our sugar factories, Waste to Energy from the Riverton Dump, geothermal from cattle manure and wave energy from the sea.
Every Jamaican
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| Let’s unplug our devices and save our energy |
The final 5% will be supplied by every Jamaican individually. Renewable technology is pointless if we choose not to reduce our energy consumption. Did you know that in 2009, Jamaica with a population of under 3million consumed more oil than Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Ethiopia COMBINED, with a collective population of 117million [3]! Jamaicans will have to choose not to waste the precision commodity called energy. Natural sources replenishes itself but that does not mean it is by any means free energy. Hence, we will unplug our laptops after use, turn off the lights at nights, the AC in the days, open the windows, or turn it down so you can take your sweater off. UNPLUG: Your TV, DVD, Flat screen, desktop, Microwave, Toaster, phone charger,… before leaving home EVERYDAY. This accounts for up to 30% of your energy bill monthly, these devices have components that suck energy even when we are not in use. so there goes the other 5%… Easy, isn’t it?
Save energy in your home: Tips to reduce your monthly energy bill
Without a doubt, this great country most definitely have the ability to be energy self sufficient. Sweden is above 40% totally renewable [4], despite not having as much natural asset as Jamaica is blessed with . So next time we pray to discover oil in Jamaica, or pray for our Electric Company to reduce their rates, lets channel those prayers to having the ‘implement’ers capable of using the resources we do have to supply the energy we need. May God Bless or resources, our people, our BEAUTIFUL island; Jamaica Land We Love.
and then
Comments (148)
I tell you There is so much potential here to be unlocked! So very very true what you have said! But once we find a way to get things in motion…who knows what can happen!
I see that there has been an increase in getting people to invest in solar panels but I heard my dad lamenting at the start up cost. As grand an idea it is … people just cannot afford it. I ought to do some more reading on that though!
solar does have a high startup but i can tell you one thing you are GUARANTEED the payback!… If you want me to send you some information on this send me an email and we’ll discuss it!…
Happy to know that you liked the article. I personally read your blog everynight… keep those posts going 🙂
Kimroy Bailey
kimroyb@hotmail.com
That’s really true Latoya, since we last spoke on the topic I am happy to note that solar have a payback of 4 years in some cases.
Great blog bro. Keep doing what you do. Didn’t even know that Jamaica had a wind farm.
Dave
http://www.davecollyjap.blogspot.com
Thanks alot Dave… Really like your site too. Check it out guys: http://www.davecollyjap.blogspot.com
That’s true, Not only do we have a windfarm, we have the largest wind farm in the Englsih speaking Caribbean.
You couldn’t say it any better btw wat did u guys plant that am seeing now
nice pic KB…. without farmers we ded fi ungr !
Yes ! Speak it KB so tru ..unnecessary importations ..its sad .. Eat wat we grow. Buy JA products or make use of your back yard if u do.Its simple as that.
rate this mi boss
We were planing sweet potato Shanese Kirlew :)… Please share
Thnaks Ivor Johnson… LOL… the correct word is ‘ungri’ lol thats for the support… please share
Simple as that Youlandiva Fagan!.. Please share 🙂
oh kool , n i will
Bless up Bro.. we condition pain mi heart… Please share
Farmer boy lol.true words though
Serious point K.B I support u n the effort u making.
I believe the farming it important and can help our country get better
well said, point blank.
Amen
same thing me seh
Gwaan do u ting me yute!
sweet potato slip
Yow di farm ting good ya!!!!
what crop is that?
Love what you doing bro. Keep spreading the productive vibes. Althea McKenzie Marlene Malahoo Peter David Phillips Pauline Romona Jamaica House
So true bro!.
Very Proud of you and I feel the same way. When I left Jamaica it was $7 to $1 and a candy was .5cents. OM-Goodness how time has change.
They dont Care
grow Jamaica, manufacture Jamaican products, lets stick to what we have Jamaicans
Now that the Jamaican dollar is sliding our products will look attractive on the world market…very cheap. Use that to ur advantage
me dan everyday me preach this enuh.. but either sides weh we vote in nuh care… dem neva invest but a it dem ago turn to wen we officially dwn hill.. u knw we ago starve… this place soon run like iraq,, brace urselves Jamaica
Thanks Mar. Please share Marie Cohall-Morgan 🙂
That was some sweet protato Bro :)… Please share Barrington Flemming
Thnks 🙂
Bless up Bro. Please share Sedrick Barton 🙂
Thanks Lucki Charm… Please share if u dnt mind 😀
Farmer boy indeed :)… Please share Sim Sima Ellis 😀
Bless up Bro. Please share Rj
It will help Bro!… Please share Gauntlet Roomes
Thats what I love about this, we do have a benefit in the mids of the crisis and as u said we need to exploit that opportunity. Please share Shauna Kay
Lol… it wont while I am alive, and I hope you believe the same we are the ones who will have to stand up and represent the voiceless from here. Please share Michael. Bless up!
Amen, Amen, Amen!… We need to listen to these powerful words… Please share Delroy
Hmmm… Please share this Lennox… Thankx
Wow!!!… How long ago was that (if u dnt mind)… Good ole days, nuh true??… Please share Tamara
Thank you so much for the support Seymour… Please share this with your network of friends :)… Thanks again
LOL… how you know so bossy??? LOL
Everybody asking a wha dat lol
Please share thi Jermaine ‘Rusty’ Russell!… Thnks Bro
:)… Please share David, Please (Y)
Thanks Gauntlet Roomes… Need the support the youths need to know their roots. Please share, plz
do yuh ting big broda,,, do yuh ting
Jamaicans are too “Foreign minded” to support our locally produced food items; we are our worst enemy because we don’t seem to understand that the more we buy ‘foreign’ is the more the dollar will continue to slide. As you say Kimroy Bailey it will hit the $150 mark, who knows, maybe by the end of August..at the rate it is going. How are we, as a country, going to be able to buy oil on the world market? We need to think seriously about what is required of us in order to drive the economy and turn it around. We cannot continue to expect Government to do everything..they don’t have the..let me leave that.
farming alone cant solve economic problems we need to produce goods services and intellectual property that the world needs , we have a unique advantage of being small and nimble jamaican can be a tech paradise overnight if we really wanted it so
this might not be so as the cost of production in ja might force our products to be the most expensive which wud only add to the problem…
You are more than an inspiration. You are the fulfilment of what people have been praying for for ages in this country- positive, vision filled leadership. Thank you for your passionate work- it has inspired me to want to change our country in a like manner.
So true kimroy……so true..
Keep doing what you do brother. Its really our only saviour.
Even if the USD hits $200 for $1JMD…. I still don’t care.
OOOHHHHHH, A you a plant sweet potato up at spur Tree……
I remember growing I would accompanying my father to maroon town to wk his ground.
OVERNIGHT!… Literally!… If we ever become serious about harnessing out technological potential we’ll be a giant in the western hemisphere indeed. Farming alone can’t cut it, we need all disciplines on board
Thanks ALOT Carl Bliss!… Please share this photo
Great memories nuh true Felecia??… Jamaica need to go back to the good ole days… Please share, plz 🙂
Thanks for the support Jody. Please share, plz… lets get the message out there
Warm my heart!… It was GREAT waking up to this message Mannaseh-Jordan Jarrett!… We do need passionate people hungry for change, eager to grow our beautiful country… Please share this pic… we’d love to get this message out there
Lol… happy that you did lol… we do need a serious renewable energy policy https://trottbaileyfamily.com/renewable/
LOL!!!… Me same one! Some Good old sweet potato slip! :D… Share this pic Jeremy Herbalist Hood-Daniel. Thnx
yea man me kno farming 2
The government should take matters into their hands and help Jamaica’s economy by creating locally produced materials. This would benefit a lot of families. Whether its greenhouses, sugarcane factories or other forms of farming ground, young ambitious people will show interest as opposed to an individual finding the funds on their own to farm their own land. Pay them hourly…..give them a reason to wanna invest in their country.
Some of the best days of my childhood, I wish my boys were able to have some of those experiences it’s make us better for it.
Oh btw I was the best coconut tree climber.lol!!
They dont want u to take of yourself cause that interfares with the kickbacks they get under the table
look at america solar and other renewable energy it hard to mainstain and the large amount of capital needed to start would make things the most the government can do is facilate renewable licensed that they already going to do listen to the budget debate when the energy minister speak on the 24
plus the bids for the jbs 360 mega watt plant so construction will start this year plus a 150 megawatt solar construction bids for this year too
jamaica also need large damns one in each county off the island
We need to use some of the IMF money to finance such a programme. Since IMF wants long term development then renewable energy is the way to go!
It can work . Just like most other countries it a little hard for any other than the main power supplier ( Jps ) to set up, produce and distribute in most countries because they already control the established grid line.
It can be done more easily on a small scale I.e hotels , business etc
Yes , we have to educate the people more.
imf money is not for trial its for concrete test and [proven solid projects
Had to share, very hopeful!!
i hope you submitted your bid towards OUR posting online alone would not cut it
Solar panels are very easy to maintain Andre because they don’t have any moving parts and such an investment will pay off for itself in less than 5 years. See the article https://trottbaileyfamily.com/offshorewind/
The 360MW plant should definitely bee an offshore wind farm instead. Jamaica does not produce the liquid gas for LNG and will be imported all over again, another fossil fuel story
I support thisidea 150%
Well the IMF Funds cannot be used for such a venture… We should use the funds from the planed LNG project though because Ja does not have the Liquid gas and will end up in another importation story all over again
Well said Seymour, need to educate the masses and Put the wind to work https://trottbaileyfamily.com/put-the-wind-to-work/
Amen!! It was just yesterday we were having this discussion.. Our ppl r 2 foreign minded.. Dem rather support foreign country instead of local produce/via our farmers. Dem nuh see seh Trinidad, India, and china a tek over Jamaica?. We soon will own nothing!! Ppl stop the foolishness and let’s only support our local people that are producing the same items we are spending money to get from other countries..smh
the imf money is for import and balance off payment support
only the world bank idb bank money can be use for capital expense project like roads etc or support for small business load
solar panel are easly damage and serceit fried wind turbine are a better fits for jamaica even our trade winds are majority off the island being above sea level
lng is wider available and cheaper than gas and since america control majority of this fuel its not subjected to increase and hostality like the middle east that control gas
you should do more research solar panels as moving part like the tower they are build on so they are able to move toward the sun shine they over heat and cercuit fried plus the battery that store the power the solar panel generate plus they are prone to problems themselves
true
Feel free to post in the ambassadors of jamaica group. That’s what it’s there for bro.
like yuh can farm..lol
well said.and i agree with u we have to farm more
I am happy to support you and your partners in this. #Honoured
a soh mi use to plant sweet potato tu enuh… farm tun up
Only producing our way will help us.
Let us tell the Gov we need a eat a Jamaica month start from there, ladies buy no wigs and hair that month see what we can achieve
Love the thought, “use what you have to better Yourself” … It is not Impossible … !!
Big up to all the farmers left! You are thinking of the future… now if only the government would give up the ridiculous amount of land they sit on and do nothing with…. windmills, solar energy, alternative fuels, production of fruits & veggies and other crops…. damn shame.
respect….
ur right but because we r sell out may be one day they,ll realize the facts
serious talk!
thats great
Yow bredda love what I am seeing. I tell ppl everyday, farming is the only thing that bring back Jamaica. Importation and Exportation will play a significant role too. Believe in Ja
true words ma brother true words
i LIKE TWO PHOTO
i wanna be a farmer too 🙂
Great work kimroy
Yea ‘Land of wood and water’ Cultivate the land use up the wood and water and watch Jamaica get back on foot
I glad said,i think so too.Jamaica have too much land to be importing food.
You go KB!!
You can do it Kimroy. Just go fir it!!!
do u thing!
Ur selfmotivated so u gud!
nuff respect mi yute
all the best.
hey hey remember seeing this dude and is other parri, under Engine tree “beating di works” Well done, Make yourself and Make UTECH name in da process
God be with you….remember ‘all things are possible through Christ who strengthens YOU’
Blessings Kimroy.
Thank you soo much for your support one and all!… I think we should have a TeamKB monthly link up or something… What do you think?
good idea so u can have a one on one wth ur real fans .
Sorry I missed it. My daughter works there.
Happy Earth Day Kimroy.
This picture says a thousand words….very nice.
Happy Earth Day all.
So true!
Keep the dream alive KB! (Y)
will definitely do! 🙂
Have to KeepBelieving Bro.. No matter what
God is good, we have come so far.. KeepBelieving Ray, keep praying that I grow each day
Thanks Denton, thanks alot
Still need the prayers to make it even better lol… KeepBelieving Andrew
Always and forever Christopher, nah stop :{)
Definitely Vito, KeepBelieving 🙂
Coool… do you know if she had the chance to stop by? There will be another Clover, hopefully you will be there next time!
Yeah I think so… and we can brainstorm cool Ideas to change the world lol
That is so cool
I came in contact with this last year, also if it is full it will not allow you to throw any garbage in it. A pretty nifty design!!
Looks good.Will we ever get to that stage…one day, have to keep believing.
Thats kool
Hail Bro, wat crop is that in the photo
Kimroy KB Bailey let me know when your ready to dig…thats the part i love to do 🙂
will do Maurica Brown! Will do!
Kimroy,
Great site! Can you provide some info on startup costs ? Thanks
Well Jamaica I am looking froawrd to reading all about your adventures around Loudoun. I will share your information with my friends so they will know all of the cool places to go. Have fun.