Jamaica lacks the potential for large-scale hydroelectricity generation. Only some 23.8 MW of power is presently installed with potential for about another 100 MW.
The type of hydropower installations can be classified in the following ways:-
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By the effective head of water, low, medium or high heads.
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By the capacity, the rated output.
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By the type of turbine used.
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By the location and type of dam or reservoir.
Hydropower schemes have high capital costs, and are sensitive to the high interest rate regimes in Jamaica in recent times, and therefore, prohibit private investment in hydropower ventures.
EXISTING HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS
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HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATIONS CURRENTLY OWNED BY JPSCo.
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Plant Location
|
Year Put in Service
|
Installed Capacity (MW)
|
|
Upper White River
|
1945
|
3.8
|
|
Lower White River
|
1952
|
4.9
|
|
Roaring River
|
1949
|
3.8
|
|
Rio Bueno A
|
1949
|
2.5
|
|
Maggotty Falls
|
1966
|
6.3
|
|
Constant Spring*
|
1989
|
0.8
|
|
Rams Horn*
|
1989
|
0.6
|
|
Rio Bueno River
|
1989
|
1.1
|
|
TOTAL INSTALLED MW
|
|
23.8
|
* To be Rehabilitated
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HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL IN JAMAICA
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|
Hydroelectric Scheme
|
Potential Capacity (MW)
|
|
Back Rio Grande (BRG)
|
28
|
|
Great River
|
8.0
|
|
Green River
|
1.4
|
|
Laughlands Great River
|
2.0
|
|
Martha Brae River
|
4.8
|
|
Morgans River
|
2.3
|
|
Negro River
|
1.0
|
|
Rio Cobre
|
1.0
|
|
Spanish River
|
2.5
|
|
Wild Cane River
|
2.5
|
|
Yallahs River
|
2.6
|