The Ministry of Energy, Mining and Telecommunications is currently conducting public consultations for the “Green Paper: Jamaica Energy Policy 2006 – 2020” . The main aim of the consultations is to sensitize the public about the existence of a proposed Energy Policy.

The public consultations further seek to garner feedback and suggestions from stakeholders in the energy sector.

As a part of the island wide consultations, the Ministry team has so far visited

• Morant Bay, St. Thomas

• Portmore, St. Catherine

• Kingston and St. Andrew

• Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville

• University of the West Indies

• Golf View Hotel in Mandeville

• Savanna-la-mar

Some of the comments received from participants are listed below:

• Successive Governments have lacked the political will to ensure that a sustainable energy policy is maintained.
   

• Not enough is being done to operationalise the abundance of local alternative energy sources. Specific references have been made to the following;

  • E10 roll out (ethanol in gasoline)

  • Solar and photovoltaic equipment and technology; water heaters, house lighting, street lights

  • Biogas facilities

  • Nuclear energy technology

  • Converting solid wastes and effluents (garbage and sewage) into viable energy sources
     

• The cost of energy is a crippling factor to growth and development.

Participants in the Consultations have been making their suggestions for the efficient use of energy in Jamaica. Outlined below are some suggestions from participants:

• Targets for implementation should be explicit and maintained in order to meet aims, objectives and recommended ‘policy prescriptions.
   

• The Government should provide incentives to persons who utilize alternate sources of energy (tax exemptions, duty concessions, etc).
   

• The Government should mandate appropriate building codes for developers and architects to create and utilize energy efficient building designs.