Jamaica moves to solar energy for irrigation of fields

The Jamaican government has offered a solar project intended at powering a water processing plant and has also stated it will power, with PV, all irrigation systems operated by the National Irrigation Commission.

Water treatment can be maximized at lower energy loss by powering it with solar PV.

Jamaica's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has stated that all irrigation systems managed by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) will be powered only by PV investments within the next two years.

“We knew that as much as we seek to develop irrigation supply, our ability to provide efficient and at least cost is critical,” said minister Floyd Green. “In fact, we are targeting solar power plants.”

Solar equipment worth JM$29 million (US$200,000) was given to the NIC and the Water Resources Authority (WRA) last week.

“The project, which represents one of the largest expenses in irrigation support in Jamaica, will affect the livelihoods of more than 700 peasants with a holding on 718 hectares of land through the provision of sprayed water and improved access to local and global agricultural markets,” Green also stated.

The WRA, meanwhile, has driven a tender for the construction of a solar project of unspecified size at the Faithful Spring Treatment Plant, which is located in Kingston. Interested developers will have until January 15 to submit their bids.

In July, the Jamaican government unveiled a plan to tender 500 MW of renewable crop capacity next year.