UTech advances plans to slash light bill in half with new solar power installations

The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) has launched a tender for solar power installation of at least 2.0 megawatts (MW) with optional battery storage across its Papine and satellite campuses, targeting savings of at least half its electricity bill —previously reported at $15 million a month.

"The expectation is that upon commissioning, the university will see at least 50 per cent savings on its current electricity bill," the tender document stated.

The procurement, funded by the Government of Jamaica and open to international competitive bidding, was published on Wednesday. Bids close on June 30, with a contract award planned for November 2026 and project completion targeted for January 2027.

UTech will avoid paying for the cost of the project upfront. 

"The proposal should present a clear arrangement for the university to benefit from the solar energy system with the bidder covering the full capital cost. The recovery of the cost will be achieved based on a mutually agreed arrangement between the successful bid and the university over a specified time," the tender stated.

The structure mirrors what UTech President Dr Kevin Brown outlined in 2024, when he said an ideal arrangement would see a provider cover installation costs upfront in exchange for monthly payments of up to J$7 million — roughly half the university's bill at the time — over a five- to seven-year period. The light bill was reportedly running at $15 million a month in 2024.

The 2.0 MW threshold is grounded in a third-party energy audit, which determined that UTech's Old Hope Road campus would require that capacity to fully disconnect from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) grid. The university operates nearly 1,000 air-conditioning units across its campuses, a figure Dr Brown said has grown as rising temperatures — driven by climate change — push energy consumption higher in buildings not designed for extreme heat.

The solar project spans UTech's main Papine campus as well as its School of Oral Health, School of Public Health, and Dome Street campus in Montego Bay. The tender also contemplates future phases at satellite locations on Arthur Wint Drive and Slipe Pen Road in Kingston.

The Financial Gleaner sent queries to UTech on the current status of its electricity costs and solar plans.

UTech joins a growing list of Jamaican institutions pursuing renewable energy to reduce exposure to JPS tariffs, which are directly tied to fuel costs. That exposure has sharpened recently: US and Israeli military strikes on Iran have pushed global oil prices higher, feeding through to local electricity bills. 

business@gleanerjm.com