The United Nations
Energy Audit Explained
July 10, 2012
Yvette Batts

What exactly is an Energy Audit? Why do I need one? How much does it
cost? Unfortunately many think an Energy Audit is another piece of
expensive paperwork required to access low interest energy loans. An
Energy Audit is and can be much more.
An Energy Audit is an assessment of the energy usage at a facility. It
includes an analysis of cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy
usage, energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. It can actually add
immediate value to an organisation by identifying simple no-cost and low
cost measures for energy conservation (EC) and cost reduction. These
include Energy Management practices, tariffs, operations improvement,
and culture. Our experience is that EC can result in as much as 12%
savings, sometimes more. As such EC measures may provide immediate
payback for the cost of the energy audit.
The Energy Audit can also go on to identify additional energy efficiency
(EE) measures that require investments, such as equipment retrofits,
upgrades, re-tooling and process improvement to further reduce
consumption. Investments can also include renewable energy (RE)
solutions, appropriately sized for the reduced energy footprint
resulting from energy conservation and energy efficiency. The result is
a package of energy saving measures that meet the financial criteria for
investment as specified by the customer and that can form the basis of
an Energy Strategy and Action Plan.
In short an Energy Audit facilitates improved energy productivity,
particularly important in an economic climate where cost control and
competitiveness are essential for survival.
There have been some questions/concerns arising from the local market
about
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says that approximately 29 per cent of the country
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Over the past three months, the price of oil on the world market has fallen from a high in March of about US$105 per barrel to just under or around US$80 per barrel.
The drop in Brent crude has been even more precipitous, from US$124.70 in March to around US$91 today. These are reductions of more than 30 per cent since March.
Despite this, our gas, gas oil and oil-related product prices have trended down about five to seven per cent. What is amazing is that no one seems to notice or care.
In all other countries, the prices at the gas pumps, and of other oil-related products have fallen 15-20 per cent, or more, to match this fall since March.
Gas and gas oil at the pumps in Jamaica should be around $85 per litre.
Our gas pumps remain unaffected! Petrojam and the Government apparently remain oblivious.
Where does the buck stop? Who is ripping us off?
TROY VIRTUE
tdvirtue@hotmail.com
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The United Nations
The government is moving to liberalise the renewable energy market with amendments to the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Act.
Electricity charges are expected to drop by up to six per cent this month.
This after the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) lowered the fuel and IPP charges to customers by just over $2 per kilowatt hour (kWh), when compared to the rate used in May.
According to the JPS, this means that a typical residential customer whose usage remains constant at 200 kWh will see a reduction of approximately six per cent in their electricity bill.
In a statement last evening, the light and power company said the decision to reduce its fuel and IPP charges was based on the recent downward trend in oil prices.
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THE Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) says it has halted an electricity theft scam that was taking place in Seaview Gardens, St Andrew.
