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More than $100 Million Saved Under Energy Efficiency Programme

By: , June 30, 2017

The Key Point:

The Government has saved more than $100 million in energy costs under the Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Programme (EECP).
More than $100 Million Saved Under Energy Efficiency  Programme
Photo: Michael Sloley
Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, addresses an Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Awareness Workshop at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston on June 29.

The Facts

  • Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, said the programme has resulted in a significant reduction in the use of electricity in State entities from 410 gigawatt-hours (GWh) since the beginning of the programme in 2011 to less than 400 GWh in 2015.
  • Meanwhile, he informed that the Ministry has begun adoption of an Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Methodology as a blueprint to guide the strategic development and modernisation of the energy sector over the next 20 years.

The Full Story

The Government has saved more than $100 million in energy costs under the Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Programme (EECP).

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, said the programme has resulted in a significant reduction in the use of electricity in State entities from 410 gigawatt-hours (GWh) since the beginning of the programme in 2011 to less than 400 GWh in 2015.

“This achievement is significant in helping Government to deliver on its promise to the people of Jamaica for sustained economic growth of five per cent in four years,” he said.

He was speaking at the Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Awareness Workshop at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston on June 29.

Dr. Wheatley said that improved results are expected under the programme as more citizens become engaged through public education campaigns.

“Continued public education and behaviour change will help to sustain the savings achieved under the EECP,” noted the Minister.

Meanwhile, he informed that the Ministry has begun adoption of an Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Methodology as a blueprint to guide the strategic development and modernisation of the energy sector over the next 20 years.

When completed, the IRP will establish the projected electricity demand over a 20-year period and determine the generating capacity and technologies that will be required to satisfy the demand over the period.

In her address, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Hillary Alexander, said there is an urgent need to manage the country’s energy bill.

She noted that more buildings need to be built and designed with energy conservation in mind and more energy efficient appliances acquired.

The Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Awareness Workshop was aimed at building the capacity of the public sector to procure energy efficient appliances and equipment and to improve the sustainability of energy conservation efforts.

This is to be done through creation of energy management committees in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Plans are underway for the staging of other workshops in Montego Bay, Mandeville, as well as another session in Kingston.

The Government of Jamaica entered into a US$20 million loan agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for execution of the EECP in November 2011.

The components included institutional strengthening; investments in energy efficiency and conservation; demand side management and energy efficiency/conservation education awareness.

The loan agreement came to an end in June 2015 and the programme has since continued with financing from the Government.

Effective April 2017, the execution of the programme was transferred from the Ministry to the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ).

Last Updated: June 30, 2017

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