1 month ago
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Derillion Energy Jamaica Limited is constructing a 50-megawatt floating solar facility at the Mona Reservoir that will supply power to the National Water Commission, NWC, and the national electricity grid operated by Jamaica Public Service Company, JPS, and .
The reservoir is operated by the NWC.
“The total capital spend is US$69 million,” said Managing Director Benjamin Daley, who noted the company is currently in the pre-installation phase of the project, which includes financing and power purchase agreements with power utility JPS.
While 50MW of direct current, or DC, panels will be installed, power output will vary based on sunlight availability. Daley projects the system will deliver approximately 35MW alternating current to JPS and 5MW alternating current to water utility NWC.
The installation is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026, and is expected to take 24 months. The project is forecast to save NWC around US$2.7 million annually through electricity savings and increased revenue from enhanced water capacity.
Daley explained that the solar panels, placed atop the reservoir, will reduce evaporation and allow for desilting, increasing the dam’s overall volume.
The project was referenced earlier this month in the Government of Jamaica’s annual filings to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which noted that the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport granted a generation licence for a 35MW floating solar plant at the National Water Commission Mona Reservoir in April.
The licence builds on an initial pilot developed by Derillion Energy in 2022. A due diligence process followed in fiscal year 2023/24.
According to the filings, the full project will include energy storage and grid stabilisation infrastructure.
On its website, NWC says it is leasing 100 acres of the water surface plus four acres of land for the installation of inverters, battery storage and grid stability equipment, for which it will receive lease payment.
The 2022 pilot showed a 30 per cent reduction in energy consumption at the Mona Treatment Plant. NWC later cited expected annual savings of J$35 million, along with lease revenue from 100 acres of water surface and four acres of land allocated for infrastructure. Additional benefits include reduced evaporation losses valued at US$311,000 and increased reservoir capacity from dredging, estimated to yield US$420,000 annually.
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