$36.8 Million Earmarked for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Project

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Project has been allocated $36.8 million in the 2010/2011 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives.
Funded by the Government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the project, which began in August 2009, aims to support the government in its effort to improve energy efficiency and provide technical assistance to prepare a potential energy efficiency loan programme.
The allocation will go towards evaluation energy consumption pattern for public sector buildings, undertaking cost assessment of public sector energy consumption, and conducting cost/benefit analysis of retrofitting buildings and public sector energy demand.
Other targets include developing an investment plan for energy efficiency equipment installation and the terms of reference for an energy services company to facilitate a possible energy efficiency programme.
The project, which is being implemented by the Government of Jamaica, is expected to be completed by February next year.
As at December 2009, a project unit was set up and condition precedent to first disbursement met; expressions of interest for consultancy services were evaluated; collections and assessment of existing public sector energy audits were completed; and negotiation for Government access to Jamaica Public Service (JPS) public sector billing date started.
Meanwhile, another $20 million has been set aside for the Jamaica Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement Project Preparation Facility.
This undertaking, which is being funded by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, will last from April to August this year, has the objective of preparing the Jamaica Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement Project.