With the recent arrival of its first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the island of Jamaica has achieved the fuel diversity that it has long sought, said Jamaica Public Service Co. (JPS) CEO Kelly Tomblin.

Jamaica’s first LNG cargo arrived on the Golar Arctic at the Port of Kingston on Aug. 5. The cargo was supplied by New Fortress Energy, which struck a deal with JPS last year for the provision of LNG to fuel the 120 MW Bogue power plant in Montego Bay in western Jamaica (see Daily GPI, Aug. 12).

LNG is just part of Jamaica’s fuel diversity, though. Tomblin also cited grid-scale solar and the addition of “significant” wind power generating capacity to the power grid.

“Natural gas will play a key role in transforming the energy sector, while supporting industrial development and economic growth. We are definitely on the threshold of great things for Jamaica and the region,” Tomblin said.

Earlier this year, the existing Bogue power plant was upgraded to allow fueling with either natural gas or automotive diesel oil. New Fortress is currently finalizing construction of an LNG terminal at Montego Bay, with mechanical completion expected during August, to be followed by commissioning.

JPS and New Fortress have also signed an agreement to extend the supply of gas to Jamaica to a new 190 MW power plant at Old Harbour Bay in St. Catherine. New Fortress has agreed to privately finance and develop the infrastructure necessary to deliver LNG to the plant.

Last year, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz signed an agreement with Jamaica’s energy minister in support of developing the island’s LNG capabilities (see Daily GPI, April 13, 2015).