Sweet savings in sight for Long Pond sugar factory

Ruddy Mathison, Gleaner Writer

The Long Pond Sugar Factory in Trelawny, operated by Everglades Farms Limited, has projected big savings in electricity bills for the 2012 crop season.

The plant which was closed in 2009 to facilitate a multi-million dollar modernisation, has installed a diesel generator and a steam turbine with a combined generating capacity of 1,700 kilowatts of power.

According to Chris Hylton, the company’s Public Relations Manager, the factory will save $20 million to $40 million in light bill given that it will no longer have to rely on the Jamaica Public Service Company for electricity.

The 2012 crop season will begin tomorrow with the factory accepting cane from farmers throughout the parish.

Hylton says the crushing of cane is scheduled to start on Friday.

He also says about 5,000 tonnes of cane belonging to small farmers will be reaped over a two week period.

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