The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant to the Petroleum Corp. of Jamaica (PCJ) to support the development of an offshore wind farm in the country.
According to the USTDA, the feasibility study will evaluate the viability of installing the wind farm, which offers potential export opportunities for a range of U.S. equipment and services related to the design, development, and operation of offshore wind and transmission infrastructure.
PCJ selected Keystone Engineering Inc. (KEI), a Louisiana-based energy firm, to conduct the study. KEI was the foundation design-engineer for the U.S.’ first offshore wind farm, the 30 MW Block Island Wind Farm off the coast of Rhode Island.
“We are pleased to partner with PCJ and KEI on this important project,” comments Nathan Younge, USTDA’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “The study will help to develop new energy resources and create potential commercial opportunities for U.S. technologies in Jamaica.”
“The government of Jamaica has identified renewable energy development as a major pillar in its strategy for energy security,” adds Winston Watson, group general manager of the PCJ. “This study will help the PCJ to get valuable data that can attract overseas investment for the development of our offshore wind resources, and we look forward to a fruitful partnership with USTDA and with KEI.”
