A new entity to replace the Rural Electrification Programme (REP) has been mandated to develop renewable energy solutions for Jamaicans who live too far from the national power
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller listens as Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell makes his presentation during the Budget Debate yesterday. – Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
Gary Spaulding,
Minister of Science, Technology Energy and Minining, the Hon. Phillip Paulwell.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion in this 2013/2014 Budget Debate, truly a critical point for our country, our economy and the well being of our people.
Over the past 15 months, as we negotiated this new crucial IMF Extended Fund Agreement from the ru
Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell (left), addressing the energy efficiency and conservation workshop for the Ministry and its agencies at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, on March 27. Looking on is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Hillary Alexander.
Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says individual behavioural changes are critical in the fight to conserve energy and reduce the country
Energy minister Phillip Paulwell
Energy minister Phillip Paulwell has announced that his ministry will be partnering with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) to undertake a $109 million feasibility project at five potential hydropower sites.
The work is being carried out as part of the Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement Project, which is being funded through a 2011 loan agreement between the Government and the World Bank.
Under the agreement the World Bank has provided US$15 million to finance initiatives to increase Jamaica‘s energy efficiency and improve energy security.
Of this amount, $2.5 million has been allocated to the implementation of the hydro project.
The sites selected to participate in the project are the Rio Cobre River in St. Catherine, Morgan and Negro rivers in St. Thomas, Martha Brae River in Trelawny and Spanish River in Portland.
Paulwell has described the project as significant to his Ministry’s larger plan to develop Jamaica’s renewable energy industry.
The project will be carried out by SP Studio Pietrangeli, an Italian consulting engineering services firm.
Work is scheduled to continue until August 2014.
The Government has committed to having renewable sources supplying at least 20 per cent of Jamaica’s energy supply by 2030.
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Energy minister Phillip Paulwell
Energy minister Phillip Paulwell has announced that his ministry will be partnering with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) to undertake a $109 million feasibility project at five potential hydropower sites.
The work is being carried out as part of the Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement Project, which is being funded through a 2011 loan agreement between the Government and the World Bank.
Under the agreement the World Bank has provided US$15 million to finance initiatives to increase Jamaica‘s energy efficiency and improve energy security.
Of this amount, $2.5 million has been allocated to the implementation of the hydro project.
The sites selected to participate in the project are the Rio Cobre River in St. Catherine, Morgan and Negro rivers in St. Thomas, Martha Brae River in Trelawny and Spanish River in Portland.
Paulwell has described the project as significant to his Ministry’s larger plan to develop Jamaica’s renewable energy industry.
The project will be carried out by SP Studio Pietrangeli, an Italian consulting engineering services firm.
Work is scheduled to continue until August 2014.
The Government has committed to having renewable sources supplying at least 20 per cent of Jamaica’s energy supply by 2030.
Read more:
We note Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell’s intention of reintroducing the scheme that gave households energy-saving light bulbs in exchange for incandescent ones.
We back the idea if the Cubans, who donated the first set of bulbs, do in fact have more to give, and if we can be assured that there will be proper oversight. For the last effort was not only an embarrassment to Mr Paulwell’s People’s National Party administration, but Jamaica, generally.
The minister’s then deputy, and others, were accused of siphoning off millions of light bulbs for personal benefit and of setting up dummy companies to manage the distribution. These allegations are still before the court.
Any new arrangement must be beyond suspicion.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.
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