Importers, manufacturers, retailers and distributors of household refrigerators, freezers, wine chillers and air-conditioning units who intend to sell in the domestic market must have their items registered with the National Energy Efficiency Registration, Testing and Labelling Programme. Registration should be done at https://360.ncra.org.jm where relevant information will be provided to the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA). The programme, which...

The Government is projected to save an estimated $54 million annually from the installation of solar energy and energy efficiency systems at six public health facilities across the island. These are National Chest Hospital, Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre and Bellevue Hospital in St. Andrew; Black River Hospital, St. Elizabeth; May Pen Hospital, Clarendon; and the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital...

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Hon. Daryl Vaz has committed greater efforts to support the improvement of employment benefits for the island’s tanker drivers. The tanker drivers are restive following non-payment of salaries and the lack of health coverage, pension plans and other benefits. In addressing the drivers at Petrojam’s loading rack on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, Minister Vaz...

The Government of Jamaica has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL) for the entity to use end-of-life pneumatic tyres in the cement-production process. Under the arrangement, CCCL will convert used tyres at the landfills into an alternative source of fuel, thereby reducing costs and making a positive impact on the environment. Prime Minister, the...

For this fiscal year, the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology will be aiming to complete some key legislation. An omnibus legislation is among the list that will be drafted, to increase monetary penalties and custodial sentences, to modernise the portfolio’s legislation. “This is an entire portfolio matter,” Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz. noted. He was...

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says the country’s oil and gas exploration continues. He said in the first quarter of the 2020/2021 financial year, Cabinet approved the United Oil and Gas (UOG) acquisition of Tullow’s 80 per cent interest and operatorship by United Oil and Gas (UOG) to continue the exploration of the high potential prospectivity,...

Cabinet has appointed new leadership for the Generation Procurement Entity (GPE), with a mandate to undertake procurement of new electricity-generation capacity, in accordance with The Electricity Act, 2015. This was disclosed by Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz, during his contribution to the 2021/2022 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 18. Mr. Vaz noted...