Ruth Potopsingh, Contributor
Potopsingh
WE IN Jamaica are heartened by the acute attention leaders at the recent G8 summit gave to energy conservation. The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica's ((PCJ) successes in our public awareness campaign on energy conservation and efficiency in the past year, makes us happy that this august group endorses such action.
We salute their acknowledgement that energy is essential to improving the quality of life and opportunities globally. This is especially so for developing countries such as Jamaica, where the G8 leaders see what they call "energy poverty."
In pointing out global energy challenges, Messrs. Bush, Putin, et al, advised that "The growing interdependence" between producing, consuming and transiting countries requires strengthened partnership between all stake-holders. They also suggested that investing in energy alternatives is the surest way to secure a confident future for our way of life.
At PCJ, that is exactly what we have been encouraging for the past year. We hope the attention our campaign, entitled 'Use less. Pay less' brings to energy conservation and efficiency, will make all consumers individuals and commercial take notice. Those who are prompted to action are likely to gain immensely.
The G8 leaders are clear about the benefits of an energy wise posture. Their communiqué on energy, titled 'Global Energy Security,' pointed out that energy saved is energy produced. More importantly, they noted that such energy is often cheaper and environmentally friendly, especially for developing countries like Jamaica.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
We at PCJ recognise another issue that was raised at the summit, and that is the extent to which energy conservation and efficiency can help lower energy use in national development.
Such measures can even reduce the stress on our infrastructure, and protect our environment. For example, widespread use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) could lessen the need for new generating capacity as it is estimated that replacement of four million CFLs could result in savings of up to 54 megawatts.
PCJ is committed to best practices by encouraging energy-efficiency labelling in energy-intensive products.
As with efforts elsewhere, we want to examine the minimum efficiency standards for television set-top boxes and digital television appliances, energy-efficient lighting and fuel-efficient tires.
As the G8 communiqué advised, PCJ is seeking to limit its energy use through demand-side measures, and also looking at energy-efficient technologies.
Similar to their suggestions, we are doing our best to get our utilities to "expand and improve the efficiency, safety and reliability of electricity transmission facilities and power grids."
While we take pride in raised awareness of energy saving among most Jamaicans, we recognise we still have a ways to go. Ideally, PCJ would like to see more financial and tax incentives for those who promote energy-efficient technologies.
3RS INITIATIVE
We have already demonstrated leadership in distributing low-wattage bulbs and installing water heaters in some of the nation's hospitals.
But we also would like to see that programme expand to other public institutions. In the same way, we would like to see every Jamaican home become a model of energy efficiency.
The G8 Summit restated a commitment to an integrated approach to the resource cycle within what is called the 3Rs Initiative: reduce, reuse, recycle. That is an appropriate example for Jamaica to follow.
PCJ's adoption of renewable energy shows Jamaica is matching the developed countries in seeking local contributions to our traditional energy supply. `
We want Jamaica to stay one step ahead in saving for a future that is certain to use more energy than we do now.
Ruth Potopsingh is group managing director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica which has full responsibility for developing alternate energy strategies and projects particularly in renewable energy technologies.
