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Soleco Energy leads local energy transition conversation

The global energy sector is set to transform in the coming decades from a predominantly fossil fuel-based sector to one increasingly dominated by renewables and other clean energy technologies. In an effort to foster investments in the local renewable energy industry, Soleco Energy (Jamaica) Limited in partnership with the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and IDB Invest hosted a joint breakfast forum and panel discussion at the ROK Hotel in Kingston on January, 19th 2023. Titled ‘From Ideas to Action: Executing Successful Renewable Energy Projects for the Commercial and Industrial’, business leaders from both the commercial and industrial space discussed the importance of investing in renewable energy. Panellists in the first session included William Mahfood, Chairman of Wisynco, Ricardo Case, Director of Engineering Services at JPS, Carlos Loayza, Business Development Manager at Grupotec, and Brian Jardim, CEO of Rainforest Caribbean. The second session comprise Angella Rainford, Founder and CEO of Soleco Energy, Andrea Scarlett-Lozer, Partner at Levy Cheeks, Stephen Wedderburn, Renewables Explorer at TotalEnergies, and Omar Zacarias, Investment Management Officer at IDB Invest.

Soleco Energy: Women in Solar

We are excited to spearhead the campaign to increase women’s inclusion in the renewable energy industry in Jamaica and in the CARICOM. In an effort to bridge the gap in the sector, we held a three-day free solar photovoltaic (PV) training seminar for 19 women in Kingston, Jamaica on November, 7-9. The training was led by Ms. Lauren Peters from Nuance Solar and we also had a guest speaker from the Spanish EPC contractor, Grupotec, which has constructed over 1GW of projects. Shireka Campbell is optimistic that women will have access to more opportunities in the field of electrical engineering and renewable energy after participating in the training seminar.

Soleco has signed the construction contract with Grupotec to build our first set of distributed solar projects just over 2MW for the CB Group Ltd.

CB Group Limited is in the process of introducing self-generation to its electricity supply through the development of solar photovoltaic power plants across four of its sites in Jamaica. An agreement has been made between CBG and project developers Soleco Energy (Jamaica) Limited to develop these systems at CBG’s cold storage facility at Freetown, their feed production facility at Newport Mills and their hatcheries in Old Harbour and in Linstead. Soleco is pleased to announce that it has awarded the Engineering, Procurement and Construction and Operations and Maintenance contract to Grupo Tec Servicios Avanzados, S.A. and its Jamaican branch. The Contractor signed the agreement on May 05, 2022 and will oversee the construction, operation, and maintenance of these projects. Grupotec is an international company with twenty-five years of renewable energy experience executing over 1100MWp of turnkey installations through various EPC contracts. Headquartered in Spain, the Contractor has a total renewable energy portfolio of over 2.7 GW of which 1.1 GW are turnkey solutions through EPC contracts. They have a breadth of experience in the Caribbean market, having installed projects in St. Lucia and Barbados; this will be their first set of projects in Jamaica.

CREF April 2022: 14th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum

CREF will be out in force in Miami next week. We are delighted to attend in person and to sponsor this amazing event. It’s going to be a conference to remember. But much more importantly, it speaks to the fact that the Caribbean focus on the energy transition, grid resilience and decarbonisation has emerged intact from the pandemic.

Soleco hoping to invest US$45m in Barbados

***** SOLÉCO ENERGY featured in Barbados Today ***** A Jamaican-based company is set to invest US$45 million in the local renewable energy market once all the requisite government approvals are granted. The clean energy projects planned by Soleco Energy Limited, will see the construction of three 10 MW (total capacity of 30MW) solar photovoltaic plants in Barbados. Angella Rainford, CEO and Founder of Soleco Energy explained, “We are working with our local partners and investing in solar power plants which will benefit Barbadians, as the country works towards being 100% reliant on renewable energy sources by 2030.”

IDB Invest contributes to the development of photovoltaic solar generation in Jamaica through Soleco

We are excited to announce that InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB Invest) has closed a financing to Soleco Energy (Jamaica) Limited (Soleco) of US$24.3 million. IDB Invest will provide up to US$13.3 million in Senior A Loan financing and mobilize up to US$11.0 million from blended finance sources (Clean Technology Fund). We are looking forward to working together. Our full press release can be found on our LinkedIn page. #renewableenergy #finance #greenfinance #caribbeanbusiness #jamaica #idb

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET)

SOLÉCO ENERGY is delignted to support THE JAMAICA ENVIRONMENT TRUST (JET) this year. JET implements projects under three main focus areas: environmental education, law and advocacy and conservation. JET main projects include Jamaica’s longest running environmental education programme for students and teachers, the Schools’ Environment Programme, which has been in continuous operation since 1997. JET law and advocacy programme works to protect Jamaica’s natural resources using the law, public participation processes, policy review and the media. JET stages and coordinates environmental events in Jamaica, including the annual International Coastal Cleanup Day. JET conservation work has included monitoring of sea turtle nesting and the patrol and management of the Pedro Bank fish sanctuary. https://www.jamentrust.org/

Great article published in The Gleaner on Friday 16th April 2021

Angella Rainford, the businesswoman who conceptualised and led the development of Jamaica’s largest solar farm at Paradise Park in Westmoreland, has set up a new venture, Soleco Energy Limited, to fund solar power solutions for companies in the Caribbean region. It already has projects lined up this year in Jamaica and Barbados.

2nd Renpower Caribbean – investors 2021

Angella Rainford is honoured to participate as a moderator at the 2nd Renpower Caribbean - investors 2021 hosted online by Euroconvention Global taking place on the 10th and 11th March 2021.

Where is the Caribbean clean energy transition headed in 2021?

Did the much-touted clean energy transition in the Caribbean survive intact through the pandemic? The consensus, it seems, is that we’re licking our wounds – but that it’s alive and kicking. New Energy’s editorial team spoke to Caribbean specialists and industry insiders to check the region’s vital signs, gauge market sentiment, and get a sense for trends and markets we should be watching in 2021.

EU Green Week 2020: Investing in Renewables

Initiatives to bring solar energy to the Caribbean and Latin America. Some great exposure for Soléco Energy during the EU Green Week 2020 thanks to Euronews. Click on the link to watch the clip.

Soléco Energy New Kingston Office

Soléco Energy are delighted to officially announce the opening of our new office in Kingston, Jamaica. As we are enablers for the solar revolution taking place for Caribbean and Latin American businesses, it is important for us to be able to welcome our Clients in person in the centre of the action. We are situated at Unit #11, 9-11 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10, Jamaica. As soon as COVID-19 is under control, please do come to visit us!

12th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) in 2020

We are pleased that Angella Rainford, our CEO, will be a panellist on the Project Aggregation session at #CREFenergy Virtual which runs from October 28-30. Join us along with our moderator Christopher Burgess, and fellow panellists Rhianna Neely and Aran McKittrick for what is the largest renewable energy event for the #Caribbean.

Reducing the risk

Angella Rainford and Wayne Grant on site during the construction of the 50 MW Paradise Park solar project in Jamaica. >> Since founding Rekamniar Frontier Ventures in 2011, Angella Rainford has seen plenty of success as a PV project developer working in emerging markets. Originally from Jamaica, she has come to focus primarily on the Caribbean region. Last year, she started a new company, Soleco Energy, in the commercial PV segment, as well. pv magazine recently caught up with the London-based investor to discuss solar PV projects and the rapidly developing energy markets of the Caribbean. >> Source: pv magazine July 2020 issue

Jamaica Rising!

Join us as we reignite our fire and continue on our journey for growth. #ParadisePark #renewableenergy #solarproject #solarindustry #renewables #solarinstallation #gosolar #caribbean

Nine Caribbean Renewable Energy Trends to Watch in 2020

A new decade, a new era for the Caribbean energy market? Correlating the arrival of 2020 with a watershed in the way in which the region operates is, arguably, a fool’s game. What’s undeniable, however, is that if evolution is sometimes slow, sometimes rapid, we are currently in a period characterized by the latter. Change is in the air. We asked a group of experts – on-the-ground practitioners who have been active in the Caribbean for years – to give us their thoughts on what’s driving the market, and trends to look out for in 2020.... Angella Rainford, CEO & Founder of Soleco Energy, believes that “Utility-scale projects will continue to develop but I would anticipate an acceleration in the DG market relative to utility-scale.”

Making Solar Bankable 2020, Amsterdam

Soleco Energy is honoured to have been a part of this exciting panel at the 2020 #makingsolarbankable conference hosted by Solarplaza and FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank.

Jamaica should have more renewable energy sources – PM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness believes that Jamaica can potentially host more renewable-energy sources to add up to 50 per cent of electricity to the national grid by 2030, which would also give the country more options for cleaner energy. Holness expressed that view while addressing yesterday’s opening ceremony for the Paradise Park Solar Farm in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.

Investor to Launch Disruptive Energy Project

Eight Rivers represents a significant development for Jamaica’s energy sector, as at US$8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), Paradise Park will be the cheapest source of clean energy for Jamaica.

Solar Partners Set Up Offices In Kingston

Eight Rivers Energy Company, the entity set to operate the Paradise Park Solar Farm in Westmoreland, says the project is half-complete and due for commissioning by the second quarter of this year.

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