I WAS THERE WHEN THE FIRST WIND TURBINE IN THE ENTIRE CARIBBEAN WAS ERECTED IN MALVERN AT MUNRO COLLEGE. THOUGH IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY THAT WAS ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO AND MUCH HAS CHANGED SINCE. TREASURE BEACH IS ONE OF THE JEWELS OF THE SOUTH COAST AND JAMAICA. THE PEOPLE HAVE A CERTAIN SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE, WHICH IS THE FIRST STEP IN GOING GREEN. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE SMALL WIND TURBINES GOING UP ALL AROUND THE SOUTH COAST AS AN EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF JAMAICA THAT THE WIND AND SUN CAN SUPPLY ALL THE ENERGY WE NEED.

I remember 40 plus years ago, the family that owns the land at back seaside had a windmill that pumped water into a cistern for their animals. I don't think it exists anymore but they were sure ahead of the times. That entire area east of Great Bay is prime real estate for a wind farm as the prevailing winds are channeled through there by the Pedro Hills.

Isn't there a large wind farm on the south coast? I remember seeing it on the way to Little Ochie several years ago. Does anyone know who buys their power from that farm? Does it supply the south coast?

Before you jump on the wind farm bandwagon make sure you read up on some of the negative aspects these things can bring,consider who might be the beneficiaries of this power,will it be the people in the Treasure Beach area or does it go on the grid to benefit the larger centers? A proposed wind farm that was to go in in our area is being put on hold at the moment because of some concerns and they want to sue the city for millions of dollars because we want to wait,don't sound like the nicest people to me. http://www.aweo.org/problemwithwind.html

@Wind Farm:
There's a large installation of a dozen or two of wind turbines along Spur Tree Hill, which leads from St. Elizabeth to Manchester. These are visible from far away, so my guess is that's what you saw. (Though I'd love to be told there's a new farm that I don't know about)


@Richard:
When I managed the turbine at Munro, I'd often ask people in the area if they minded the whoosh of the turbines --which besides the occasional rat-bat ("bat" in US-speak) flying into the blades was the only negative I saw-- they would tell me they liked it because it was the sound of progress. Not trying to minimize the impact on birds, but I'd love to see some reliable numbers on how pollution from oil spilled during transport and burned during refining compare before I make a decision.

As for who will benefit, I would argue that the entire nation will benefit. (This sets aside the question of who will fund and make money off of it and whether it will cost more to the consumer, which are of course valid questions.)
First, there's less imported oil being burned, which speaks to environmental issues as well as keeping more of JA's limited foreign currency in country. (Realize that all its oil currently used for electricity generation is imported and paid for using US$, not JA$)
Second, to ask whether its electricity will go to the locals of TB or onto the grid is a bit of a red herring. Yes it will go into the grid (as it has to unless you're talking about smaller wind generators installed on private property) but anyone hooked up to the grid will have access to it. This is the same as for electricity currently created by burning oil.

Pick any topic Richard, and you will undoubtedly find arguments pro and con. It is up to you to get the facts and judge for yourself. Thanks for sharing the article.

If people in Africa are installing solar panels on the roof of there huts why not us?
www.energysavers.gov/your_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=10840

JPS buys the power from the manchester wind farm and feeds it into the grid. That wind farm generates enough energy to supply 24,000 homes in the area. I want my own wind mill.