Co-Generation Plant Mona’s Co-Generation Plant is one example of an innovative university working with industry to overcome a major financial challenge. With 19,000 students, 3,000 staff, and growing, the Mona Campus is one of the largest consumers of electricity in Jamaica, consuming some 6 Megawatts (MW) of electricity at its peak with a base load demand of just about 3 MW. Its annual bill at the start of January 2019 was US$6,090,129.49. Mona Campus has set out on a journey to become energy self-sufficient by constructing a power plant and connecting it to existing heat absorption chillers to generate electrical and thermal energy for its own use. Mona is collaborating with Pelican Power Limited
to construct a 7.0 MW dual fuel (Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or Liquefied Propane Gas (LPG) power plant consisting of five 1.4 MW Jenbacher GE Engines. The use of waste heat to generate electricity for air conditioning absorption chillers will result in further cost savings. The co-generation plant represents a significant technology transfer and practical educational vehicle for the Mona Campus’ Engineering Department. In the initial 7 to 9 years, Marinsa (GE engines’ certified service partner) will operate the plant and train selected UWI Mona personnel so as to transition the plant’s operations to UWI Mona over a prudent time frame. Annual cost savings from self- generation is projected to be within the range of USD $23,864,704.00-$44,746,320.00.
Co-Generation Plant at The UWI Mona Campus
Imagine, then, being able to generate your own electricity. Imagine being able to add to the bottom line by selling excess electricity. Consider the trickle-down benefit to students from training and from reduced tuition fees.
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