Holness says Sutherland solar project highlights need to modernise Jamaica’s electricity sector

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has used the inauguration of Sutherland Global’s solar energy project in Jamaica to argue that the country must urgently reshape its electricity sector, saying high power costs continue to weigh on households, businesses and national growth.

Speaking at the ceremony, Holness said Sutherland Global is a major private-sector employer and an important player in the business process outsourcing industry, accounting for just over 10 per cent of employment in the sector. He praised the company and the wider BPO industry for holding firm through COVID-19, global disruptions, energy shocks and the rise of artificial intelligence.

The Prime Minister said the sector remains valuable to Jamaica, describing it as one of the country’s largest foreign-exchange earners and an anchor industry that should modernise and move into higher-value services. He said recommendations for government support to the sector were being actively considered.

Holness said Sutherland’s decision to invest in solar power showed how electricity economics have shifted. He said Jamaica still relies heavily on imported fuel, with the official JPS fuel rate in March 2026 standing at $33 per kilowatt-hour before other bill charges are added, pushing the likely cost closer to $42 per kilowatt-hour.

He warned that while companies should be encouraged to generate cheaper power and remain competitive, a disorderly move away from the national grid could leave fixed grid costs to be carried by pensioners, small shops, households unable to afford solar panels, young entrepreneurs, community facilities and small farmers.

Holness said Jamaica must welcome self-generation, solar and innovation while modernising the grid, licences, tariffs and electricity rules. He cited falling global renewable-energy costs, including utility-scale solar averaging about US4.3 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2024 and onshore wind at US3.4 cents.

He also pointed to major solar projects in India and the United Arab Emirates, saying their output shows that large-scale renewable power can meet demand at prices far below many fossil-fuel systems. He said Jamaica’s peak demand is typically 650 to 700 megawatts and that cheaper energy could support future industries, including bauxite smelting and data centres.

Holness said the Government would not allow Jamaica to miss what he called the energy revolution and would pursue renewable-energy investment at scale.