“We
are seeing more interest in sectors such as energy and technology as the
Government makes moves to improve the business atmosphere and the country's
readiness for investments. JAMPRO will monitor the progress of this and other
projects closely as we try to bring more significant, sustainable investments
to Jamaica”
JAMPRO President Diane
Edwards commenting on the impending investment by biodiesel producer HERO BX in
developing a commercial-scale biodiesel plant in Jamaica
Jamaica
is attracting the interest of as lot of multi-national companies willing to set
up shop in anticipation of the coming of the International Hub.
Already
JAMPRO (Jamaica Trade and Invest) is facilitating the investment of some US$350
million to develope the Spanish Town Free Zone as reported in the article “JAMPRO
Facilitates US$350 Million Free Zone Investment”, published October 28,
2015 By Garfield L. Angus, Jamaica Information
Service.
One
of the first tenants at the Spanish Town Free Zone is an automobile
manufacturing plant to be run by Gulfray Americas in partnership with CNAICO
(China National Automotive Industry International Corporation) as reported in my
blog article
entitled “Gulfray
Americas and CNAICO Auto Manufacturing plant - Why Spanish Town Free Zone will
benefit Jamaica”.
 |
Another
is a biodiesel company HERO BX, which is
currently in Jamaica exploring the idea of setting up the Caribbean's first
commercial-scale biodiesel plant as reported in the article “US
Firm To Develop Biodiesel Plant In Jamaica”, published Tuesday November 3,
2015, The Jamaica Gleaner.
Located
at 1540 E Lake Rd, Erie, PA 16511 (that's Pennsylvania in the US of A, if you
plan to visit!), HERO BX plans to construct a 50-million-gallon-per-year-capacity
plant would also be a boost to Jamaica's Renewable energy Program.
According
to their Corporate Profile, they plan to make a huge investment to convert
feedstock from the Caribbean to supply the growing US$614.92 billion global
renewable energy market by the end of 2015, quote: “HERO BX enjoys a reputation
for quality and its commitment to the environment, community and safety. The
company is investigating expanding into the Caribbean region, as the growing
global renewable energy market is estimated to grow to US$614.92 billion by the
end of 2015”.
So
what exactly will be the feedstock that HERO BX
will use to make Biofuel?
HERO BX
commercial-scale biodiesel plant - How Jamaica can recycle Cooking Oil to
supply US$614.92 billion market
Their
plan it to convert waste Cooking oil from the hotel, restaurant and food
industry across the island as well as the Caribbean into Diesel.
 |
This
is very similar to Dr Michael Coley of the Department of Chemistry research
into commercializing Biodiesel from cooking oil as reported in my blog article
entitled “UWI
and YCWJ team up to Recycle Waste Cooking Oil - How to make National Bio-Diesel
Production from Waste Cooking Oil”.
Interestingly
too, they will also use agricultural waste as a feedstock to make biodiesel in
a project that's strikingly similar to a plan the Russians had to grow sorghum
in Jamaica to make ethanol as explained in my blog article
entitled “Russians
see potential in Ethanol Fuel Plant in Jamaica – From Russia With Love for
sorghum”.
This
is good news for the Government of Jamaica, as such a massive Biodiesel plant
being built by HERO BX will employ a lot of
people as pointed out by the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce
Anthony Hylton, quote: “This robust investment climate and investment in a
variety of sectors in the economy is the result of work across government to
improve the business environment, facilitate economic growth and create
opportunities for job creation”.
But
why did Jamaica get chosen by HERO BX? After
all, Cuba has normalized diplomatic relations with the United States as noted
in the article “U.S.
companies drawn to Cuba, unsure if profits will follow”, published Friday
November 6, 2015 by Jaimie Hamre, Reuters
and has more people, which may translate to
cheaper labour.
So
why Jamaica?
HERO BX and Garth
Solutions Inc - Selling Jamaica as a central point for a Caribbean-Wide
Biodiesel Plant
Jamaica
it seems is attractive to HERO BX for the same
reason that the Call Centers like the country:
1.
English speaking people
2.
Easily trainable workforce
3.
International Connectivity via undersea
Fiber Optic Cables
4.
Location in the Caribbean Basin
5.
Strong national-energy policy
6.
Developing renewable energy subpolicy
So
says Jamaica-born Glen Garth, executive vice-president of US consulting firm
Garth Solutions Inc, who are representing HERO BX,
quote: “The location of Jamaica strategically in the Caribbean Basin; the
access to a quality, educated labour force; the access to all of the benefits
that are available due to commitments made by the Jamaican Government to
encourage foreign direct investment are all factors. Those attributes are what
first attracted our attention and have further strengthened our interest in
sitting a biodiesel hub in Jamaica”.
Hopefully
they'll also recycle every form of Organic waste, including garbage from the
Riverton City dump as well as animal and human waste to make biofuel. This fuel
could be used to power not only homes but also JUTC Buses as already being done
in Britain as explained in my blog article
entitled “GENeco
Bio-Bus runs on Bio-Methane - How 10% of UK's Heating from Human Organic Waste
Alone makes Shit worthwhile”.
Finally,
Jamaica may also have a means of converting old tyres and Plastic into
Biodiesel via Pyrolysis as is already being done on the island of St. Lucia as
detailed in my blog
article entitled “St.
Lucia’s SLSWMA to make Fuel from Tyres - Why is Jamaica not converting Tyres at
Riverton City Dump into Fuel”.
All
possible and very exciting developement for the Biofuel sector in Jamaica and
the Caribbean!
Here’s
the link:
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