Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

The private sector needs to take greater advantage of incentives offered by government to adopt renewable energy and energy efficient technologies, says Dr. Jean Dixon, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce.

Speaking at the Jamaica Conference Centre where she was addressing the Jamaica Institute of Engineers (JIE) on the national energy policy at their annual conference, this year concentrating on energy, Dr. Dixon said the soon-to-be-launched revolving loan national energy fund together with zero tax rating on 30 different renewable and energy efficient products provided ample opportunity for widespread adoption.

She said the Government had already set precedents for the private sector to follow. She listed the distribution of four million energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs which is predicted to save 87 Megawatts from the daily peak national demand, Wigton Wind Farm together with its sale of US$3.1 million in carbon credits under the system established by the Kyoto Protocol and the public sector audit programme as precedents set by government.

Energy consumption

"What I would want to see encouraged is for firms to conduct audits and to start thinking more seriously about their energy consumption and not just pay attention to the dollar figure on their bill. Look at what energy efficient measures can be taken and the Energy Fund can provide loans to implement those solutions," she urged.

In an effort to combat the national 'energy crisis' with Jamaica's oil import bill expected to reach US$1.5 billion this year, the National Energy Policy, with its emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency is soon to be tabled in Parliament. However Dr. Dixon reminded that contributions are welcome. The document can be found and downloaded from the front page of the Cabinet Office website: www.cabinet.gov.jm.

- ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com