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Jamaica Broilers commissions US$8m LNG plant to boost food independence, sustainability

Published:Wednesday | August 6, 2025 | 12:11 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
Audrey Tugwell Henry (left), president and CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica; Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness; Floyd Green, minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining; Dave Fairman, vice-president of Best Dressed Chicken; and Christopher Levy, group presiden
Audrey Tugwell Henry (left), president and CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica; Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness; Floyd Green, minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining; Dave Fairman, vice-president of Best Dressed Chicken; and Christopher Levy, group president and CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group, tour the Renewed Energy Plant.
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness greets Christopher Levy (left), group president and CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group; and Robert Levy, (right) chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group; at the Best Dressed Chicken Renewed Energy launch.
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness greets Christopher Levy (left), group president and CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group; and Robert Levy, (right) chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group; at the Best Dressed Chicken Renewed Energy launch.
Cutting the ribbon from left are Dave Fairman, vice-president of Best Dressed Chicken; Audrey Tugwell Henry, president and CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica; Floyd Green, minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining; Robert Levy, chairman of Jamaica Broilers Gr
Cutting the ribbon from left are Dave Fairman, vice-president of Best Dressed Chicken; Audrey Tugwell Henry, president and CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica; Floyd Green, minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining; Robert Levy, chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group; Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness; Daryl Vaz, minister of science, energy and telecommunications and transport; and Christopher Levy, president and CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group.
Christopher Levy, president and CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group, addresses yesterday’s Best Dressed Chicken Renewed Energy launch at The Best Dressed Chicken Processing Plant in Spring Village, St Catherine, yesterday.
Christopher Levy, president and CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group, addresses yesterday’s Best Dressed Chicken Renewed Energy launch at The Best Dressed Chicken Processing Plant in Spring Village, St Catherine, yesterday.
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In a major step towards sustainable energy and agricultural innovation, Jamaica Broilers on Tuesday officially commissioned a 6.5-megawatt Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Hyundai-powered cogeneration engine at its Best Dressed Chicken facility in Spring Village, St Catherine.

The state-of-the-art plant, which cost approximately US$8 million, is part of the company’s long-term investment in energy independence and food security.

According to Jamaica Broilers Group President and CEO Christopher Levy, the project is designed to reduce operating costs and make local food more affordable.

“The purpose is what we might call our food independence of Jamaica, and in this world we recognise that there is nothing more important than we being able to feed ourselves,” Levy stated.

He emphasised that the plant – one of the largest of its kind in the Caribbean – will significantly reduce the company’s reliance on the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and improve energy efficiency.

The facility is expected to cut particulate matter and sulphur dioxide emissions by more than 70 per cent, a key milestone in the company’s sustainability agenda.

The plant also features a heat recovery steam generator, which captures exhaust heat to generate steam used in poultry production, further enhancing operational efficiency.

Levy noted that the investment is in direct support of Jamaica’s national energy policy and contributes to the Government’s aim of moving away from heavy fuel oil by 2030, as well as fulfilling Jamaica’s obligations under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Daryl Vaz, minister of science, energy, telecommunications and transport, in endorsing the project praised the company for its leadership and commitment to a cleaner energy future.

“What we are celebrating is much more than infrastructure. It is a bold statement of intent, a declaration that Jamaica is serious about building a cleaner and smarter and more sustainable future,” Vaz said.

He added: “By investing in this cogeneration plant powered by LNG, Jamaica Broilers is now optimising its operations by contributing to the nation’s broader energy goals.”

Vaz described the development as an example of what is possible when private sector leaders take decisive action to support national sustainability and energy diversification efforts.

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green, in his endorsement, said the newly commissioned cogeneration plant marks a significant milestone for Jamaica Broilers and the wider agricultural sector, signalling a future where sustainability, food security, and innovation go hand in hand.

ruddy.mathison@gleanerjm.com