Page 9 - CE JOURNAL FEB 2024 ISSUE 20

A SECOND ATTEMPT
In 2015, a new Electricity Act was passed, which set the framework for
three (3) grid interconnection methods which would be accessible by Self
Generators whether they were individuals or businesses given that they
met certain criteria. The three interconnection types allowed are Net Billing,
Power Wheeling, and Auxiliary Connections. Only draft regulations are
currently in place for Power Wheeling and Auxiliary Connections. The Net
Billing interconnection type is for self-generators who wish to sell excess
power back to the grid. If they are residential customers, their system
size should not exceed 10kW, however if they are commercial customers,
their system size should not exceed 100kW. This type of interconnection
facility is most popularly used. The Power Wheeling interconnection type
allows for self-generators to produce power to the system and then utilize
an equivalent amount of power at one or more locations. As of October
2023, there is a requirement that customers using this facility must have an
average annual demand of 1MVA. This interconnection is especially useful
for customers with multiple locations. For example, a restaurateur who has
12 locations island wide can generate all of the power needs at one location
and then utilize this power across the 12 locations, instead of building out
power generating facilities at each of these 12 locations. The last option is
the Auxiliary Connection facility. In this interconnection type, Self-Generators
use the grid for a Voltage and Frequency reference, however they are not
allowed to export power back to the Grid. These Self-Generators are required
to demonstrate the ability to block power from being exported to the grid
whether through a physical “blocking device” or logic.

Jamaica is one such country that
has been leading the charge in
using Renewable Energy. The
Government of Jamaica, through
the Ministry of Science, Energy,
Technology and Transport, in 2012
implemented a 20% renewable
energy target. To aid in facilitating
this target, the Government
created a Net Billing Program,
which allowed its participants to
generate their own power and sell
the excess to the Grid.

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