Government Finalising Waste to Energy Policy

Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Hon. Julian Robinson says the Government is in the process of finalising its waste to energy policy.

Mr. Robinson said the development of the policy involved stakeholders from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

“We have finally come to an understanding of all the agencies and very shortly we will be going to the market for companies who want to provide waste to energy resources,” Mr. Robinson said.

The Minister was speaking at Jamalco’s 2013 milestone awards dinner held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Thursday, March 13. Twenty one employees who have served Jamalco for 10 to 40 years were honoured at the function.

Energy from waste provides an affordable way of managing municipal solid waste that cannot be recycled, or used in a composting programme, but can be used to generate energy thereby contributing to energy security and a reduction in the country’s energy bill.

Mr. Robinson also disclosed that the Ministry has completed, with funding from the World Bank, a hydro study to determine the feasibility of implementing mini hydro projects in the country’s rivers across the country.

“That study will also be available to investors who may want to look at hydro as another source of renewable energy. We have made a commitment as a government that we want ….renewable energy resources to (be) 30 per cent of our overall electricity mix by the year 2030. We are now somewhere in the region of about 11 per cent,” he stated.

In addition, Mr. Robinson made reference to the recent announcement that China Harbour Engineering Company is proposing to construct  a coal-fired electricity generation plant for the supply of electricity to the Portland Bight/Goat Island project.

“As an administration while we recognize and take full account of the environmental effects, we also have to face reality that if we are not able to provide cheaper energy solutions investors who are looking to come into the country will go elsewhere,” Mr. Robinson said.

“We have to take some risk, not irresponsibly at all, fully conscious of what the pros and the cons are but also with a realization that a significant part of our future economic growth and development is dependent on finding cheaper sources of energy of bringing down the levels of expenditure that we currently expend on oil and other imported fuels,” he added.

Meanwhile, the State Minister congratulated the workers on their contribution to the development and growth of the Jamalco plant.

“In a real sense the success of Jamalco in difficult times is attributed primarily to the quality of the individuals who work in the plant,” Mr. Robinson said.

For his Refinery Manager at Jamalco Antonio Melo noted that the workers have contributed significantly to the growth and development of the bauxite sector.

He added that the workers individual contributions were “greatly recognized and appreciated and I encourage you to never lose sight of your roles and aspirations.”