UNCUT: EK Powell's Wisdom: Millionaire Birds with Dotish Energy Dreams

Part 1: A Cautionary Encounter with “Mr. Avian Name”

Growing up in Bound Brook, greater Port Antonio, my life was steeped in energy—quite literally. Whether it was marveling at the roaring Bedford truck engines with my Maylor-grandfather or touching and getting greasy with the 40-hertz generator prime mover sets being repaired at the nearby JPS power station under the watchful eye of my perceptive godfather, Mr. Pottinger, I developed a lifelong fascination for energy systems. This passion only deepened with the firm foundation in physics that Mrs. Edith Whitwell, the legendary England-born  Kingston College (KC) teacher, instilled in me. By the time I entered university as a teenager, I was already fluent in the language of engines and electro-mechanics. "Tangye, the one-cylinder diesel" in the Mech E Lab was a piece of cake, to me. So were most other labs. I was initially, too impatient and unfocused with mathematical theory.

This grounding would prove invaluable years later, as I stood in a New Kingston parking lot opposite “Mr. Avian Name,” a man whose polished charm belied his peculiar background and questionable energy proposals.

It was shortly after Edward Seaga became Prime Minister. I was newly appointed as head of renewable energy at the Scientific Research Council (SRC) when Minister Alva Ross invited me to an unusual meeting. The guest of honor was a Jamaican millionaire with an avian-sounding name—something like Dove, Partridge, or Quail---no, not Duck. Mr. Avian Name had an ambitious pitch: to reconfigure Jamaica’s energy grid with high-speed diesel (HSD) machines. Despite his confident demeanor and connections, there were whispers of his unorthodox career trajectory. Dr. Ventura, my wise boss at the SRC, advised a background check through a KC old-boy network in Atlanta.

What emerged was a profile as unconventional as his pitch. Mr. Avian Name’s journey began as a military mortuary specialist at Fort Bragg during the Vietnam War. Post-military, he transitioned to civilian mortuary services in the U.S. before striking it rich selling" Fwench" colognes and "Columbian Powders" out of his car in rural Georgia. Now, he claimed expertise in energy systems, armed with connections to high-ranking politicians and Ronald Reagan’s (Ronnie's to him) Republican inner circle.

When I arrived at the meeting—late, regrettably—the air was thick with tension. Minister EK  Powel, the brilliant yet pragmatic former chief engineer of T&TEC (Trinidad &Tobago Electricity Commission), stood in the ICWI parking lot with Mr. Avian Name and his (EK's) principal director. Mr. Avian Name cut an impressive figure in his tailored waistcoat, graying sideburns neatly trimmed, his Mexican Aztec Calendar Stone embossed briefcase held by an impeccably dressed blonde assistant. As we strolled to his high-ende rented car, he launched afresh into his pitch with evangelistic fervor.

According to him, high-speed diesel (HSD) machines were Jamaica’s ticket to the "new global energy boy's elite". His presentation was peppered with phrases and whole sentences designed to dazzle: “future-proof,” “quick start-up,” “compact efficiency,” and "Imagine a future where your leadership transforms the Jamaican nation's power supply into a high-speed beacon of innovation, setting an Olympian global standard---this is your legacy waiting to happen, Prime Minister." He made sure to mention his “private audience with Eddie” our PM and “recent talks with Ronnie's people” in the U.S. While his delivery was polished, the content was thin, tailored more to impress politicians than to provide technical substance.

After twenty minutes, Mr. Avian Name departed, leaving behind a cloud of cologne and skepticism. The principal director, a Chartered Engineer, turned to me, his disdain barely concealed. “Dr. Minott, you’re just a physicist. What can you contribute here? Why is SRC even involved?”

Before I could respond, Minister Powel intervened with the gravitas that only decades of experience can lend. “Mr. Director,” he said, “I should have introduced you to Dr. Minott months ago. When I was at T&TEC, Professor Ken Julien—a man whose opinion I trust—highly recommended him. He’s one of our region’s first two OAS Research Fellows in electrical engineering.”

Minister Powel then turned to me. “Dr. Minott, I believe you brought something for us?”

I handed him the yellow SRC folder containing my detailed analysis of HSD versus low-speed diesel (LSD) options for Jamaica. My findings were clear: while HSD had its merits for specific use cases, LSD offered better cost-efficiency, durability, and compatibility with Jamaica’s energy needs (then). Minister Powel listened carefully, nodding in agreement as I outlined the pros and cons.

Part 2: Lessons from Minister Powel’s Pragmatism

Minister Powel’s response to Mr. Avian Name’s pitch was a masterclass in leadership and discernment. “Dennis,” he later told me, “any well-dressed millionaire can sell you dreams, especially if they drop names and approach the PM first. But as I learned at T&TEC, never let millionaire birds make nests on your head.” His wisdom resonated deeply, particularly as the years revealed more about Mr. Avian Name’s dubious motivations.

Ultimately, Jamaica Public Service (JPS), under the capable leadership of Mr. Derrick Fenton Dyer, chose a path informed by sound technical advice rather than flashy sales pitches. General Electric’s input reinforced our recommendation for low-speed diesel (LSD), ensuring a sound cost-effective 1980s energy future for Jamaica. Months later, the "Chartered" principal director who earlier blasted my role approached me in a Portmore supermarket aisle. I had gone into successful international private energy consulting after less than two years at the SRC. With genuine regret, he apologized for his earlier remarks. The PM's and Minister Powel’s steadfast leadership had left an impression on us all.

This experience serves as a cautionary tale for today’s decision-makers grappling with the allure of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Much like Mr. Avian Name, modern SMR promoters and like feathery friends often come evangelizing armed with glossy presentations and grandiose promises. They emphasize cutting-edge technology, quick deployment timelines, and environmental benefits. Yet beneath the surface lies a web of financial incentives (for servants of the public and the 'pawty'), insider deals, and unproven technology.

Promoters often falsely position SMRs as “clean energy” solutions while lobbying for subsidies and long-term service contracts or MOUs. They profit regardless of the reactors’ performance, leaving  countries burdened with high costs and unfulfilled promises. Minister Powel’s wisdom—and my own research—highlight the importance of scrutinizing such proposals with a critical eye.

Countries like Austria, New Zealand, Denmark, and Costa Rica have thrived by prioritizing renewable energy over nuclear solutions. Jamaica, with its abundant solar, wind, and other green renewables can do the same. The lessons from the early 1980s remain relevant: trust qualified local expertise, prioritize long-term sustainability, and be wary of salesmen bearing gilded promises.

As for Mr. Avian Name, his story took an unexpected turn. Years after our encounter, I met his comely widow during A-QuEST business in Western Jamaica. Divorced before his untimely demise in a Louisiana liquor saloon altercation with two (trans) sex workers; she shared tales of his colorful life. His charm had opened many doors, but his legacy was, to her, one of unfulfilled potential.

Credit: Gleaner Archives

In this 1986 photo, Chairman of the Royal Air Force Association, Lloyd Johnson (standing) speaks to the audience, at the association’s annual Christmas luncheon. Seated from left are E.K. Powell, Flight Lieutenant John Ebanks, senior vice-president of RAFA; and Brigadier Dunstan Robinson.

Minister Powel’s pragmatism ensured Jamaica avoided a costly mistake in the 1980s. Today’s leaders would do well to heed his example. Energy policy demands not just vision but also grounded expertise and a commitment to the nation’s best interests. Let us remain vigilant, ensuring that Jamaica’s energy future is shaped by informed choices rather than the fleeting allure of “avian”, fly-by-night schemes and artificial, hurriedly- cobbled-together technical/ scientific ecosystems of unqualified billionairing tadpoles and quacking opportunists.

Supplement: 

Promoters of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) often stand to gain personally from their promotion through a variety of mechanisms, whether or not the projects deliver as promised. Some of these include:

1. Financial Investments and Partnerships

SMR promoters often have financial stakes in companies that stand to benefit from the construction, operation, or sale of SMR technology. This could involve direct investments in reactor companies, partnerships with suppliers, or private equity in the businesses behind the SMR initiatives. These financial interests incentivize them to push for government contracts, subsidies, MoUs, or favorable policies that boost their personal wealth, regardless of the outcome of the projects.

2. Lobbying for Subsidies

SMR promoters frequently lobby governments for subsidies, tax breaks, and funding to support their projects. This can translate into massive public funding for SMR initiatives that line their pockets, regardless of whether these projects meet their energy promises. With the rising concern over climate change and energy security, government funds are often funneled into green or low-carbon initiatives, which SMR promoters capitalize on by falsely positioning SMRs as a ‘clean’ solution.

3. Consulting and Advisory Fees

Promoters often position themselves as experts or consultants for SMR projects. By advising governments or private companies on how to structure deals, navigate regulations, or select technology partners, they can earn significant consulting fees or retainers. This often occurs in a “revolving door” fashion, where they move back and forth between government roles, private companies, and lobbying positions.

4. Ownership of Supply Chain

Promoters can also stand to benefit if they or their associates own or have business interests in key parts of the supply chain that SMR technology depends on—whether it’s reactor components, safety systems, construction companies, or power distribution networks. If an SMR project is approved or moves forward, they profit from supplying these components or services, regardless of whether the reactor proves efficient, safe, or cost-effective.

5. Long-Term Service Contracts

SMR promoters may also arrange for long-term service contracts, including maintenance, operation, and waste disposal. Even if an SMR fails to live up to expectations in terms of cost or performance, these service agreements can still be lucrative. The failure of the reactor to deliver expected performance can lead to costly repairs or longer operational lifespans, which ensure continued revenue for the promoters’ associated companies.

6. Selling the “Future Potential”

SMR promoters often focus on the long-term potential and future possibilities of their technology rather than on immediate results. By selling a narrative of technological innovation, energy independence, and environmental responsibility, they can secure deals and investments based on hope rather than actual results. They maintain their personal financial position by perpetuating optimism and positioning themselves as "visionaries" in the energy space, regardless of any short-term underperformance.

7. Politician or Corporate Insider Relationships

SMR promoters often build relationships with politicians, regulators, or executives in companies that would benefit from the proliferation of SMR projects. This network allows them to secure lucrative contracts or favorable policies that ensure personal financial gain. Their insider knowledge and influence enable them to push through policies or funding decisions that benefit their investments, sometimes at the expense of more proven or safer alternatives.

8. Exit Strategy through Buyouts or IPOs

As the SMR sector grows, early promoters often position themselves for significant exits via buyouts or public offerings. When larger companies, such as energy conglomerates or government-backed utilities, decide to take over or invest in SMR projects, early promoters often cash out with a substantial profit, even if the technology itself fails to live up to its promises.

Ultimately, the personal gains of SMR promoters are often tied to creating an illusion of future success, using lobbying power, exploiting public funds, and positioning themselves as gatekeepers to future energy solutions, all while maintaining financial benefits irrespective of the performance of the actual projects.

by Dennis A. Minott, PhD.

December 29, 2024.