Workshop on Nuclear Energy in Progress

A five-day workshop on the development of a nuclear energy programme in Jamaica is now under way, marking a significant step in Jamaica’s exploration of sustainable energy practices.

The event, which is taking place at the Regional Headquarters of the University of the West Indies, Mona, began on June 10 and will end on June 14.

Titled, ‘Roles and Responsibilities of Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisations (NEPIO) and Experience from Member States’, the event is being hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with the locally based entity, International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS).

Senior Nuclear Engineer at the IAEA, Eric Mathet, told JIS News that the workshop aims to furnish participants with a comprehensive understanding of the essential steps to incorporate nuclear energy into Jamaica’s national energy strategy.

Experts from the IAEA are delivering presentations that offer valuable insights and perspectives fostering a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with nuclear energy integration.

Key topics under discussion include regulatory frameworks, safety protocols, infrastructure requirements, and the economic and environmental impacts of nuclear energy.

Director General of ICENS, Professor Charles Grant, is pleased that a diverse group of participants is gaining a fundamental understanding of the necessary steps to initiate a nuclear energy programme.

“We consulted with the IAEA on the types of ministries and individuals that should be involved from the outset,” he noted, stressing that the goal is to ensure that all relevant stakeholders, including the Jamaica Public Service, are engaged and equipped to make informed decisions.

“Transparency and information sharing are paramount in this process. After the workshop, we will continue building out this road map document that we will share with Cabinet for their review. It will capture all the inputs from the various ministries and external stakeholders,” he said.