Jamaicans Urged to Use LED Lights

Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, is encouraging more Jamaicans to utilise light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs in their homes as a method of energy conservation.

“Spend a few extra dollars, purchase LED lights, which can help you to sharply reduce your electricity bills. They are more expensive than your regular bulbs, but over time you will save a lot of money by going that route,” he said.

He also emphasised the need to have “the entire street lighting system across the country (utilising) LED lights”.

Mr. Shaw was speaking at the signing ceremony for the Exchange of Notes and the Record of Discussions, for the Energy Management and Efficiency Programme (EMEP), held at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle offices in Kingston on Friday (October 6).

The programme was strengthened with a loan of US$15 million from the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

It is part of a joint loan of US$30 million with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which will provide the other US$15 million.

The primary objective of EMEP is to bolster the Government’s efforts in the areas of energy efficiency and conservation through the design and implementation of measures targeting key Government facilities as well as fuel usage within the sector.

Expected results of the project include reduced electricity consumption within government facilities; decreased fuel consumption through traffic control management; and increased capacity of the relevant authorities or organisations in the promotion and supervision of electricity planning.

The EMEP is executed by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), under the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology.