Above: the Wigton wind farm

Jamaica is considering the feasibility of introducing a smart grid to the island’s electrical distribution network, Minister of State for Energy and Mining, Laurence Broderick, announced yesterday. “We are looking at [a smart grid],” he said. “We just had an expert down, who has been assisting us in that direction.” Smart grids intelligently integrate the behaviour of all users connected to the grid, which helps lower electricity costs by managing distribution. The use of a smart grid, along with a turn to liquefied natural gas, could substantially help Jamaica’s energy sector. According to Broderick, the private sector in the country is ready to come on board with the plan. “[The private sector companies] are saying, give us a good formula for pricing electricity back to the grid and we will be there with you,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any stronger message that can be sent to a government.”

–Jamaica Information Service