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Government has set aside just over $3 million to conduct a feasibility study on the use of wind generated electricity for pumping irrigation water in the Pedro Plains area of St. Elizabeth. The sum, for the Wind Powered Irrigation Feasibility Assessment project, is set out in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. During the fiscal...

Government is to spend approximately $4.4 million on a project designed to enhance energy efficiency and conservation. The sum for the Capacity Development for Energy Efficiency and Security in Jamaica, is outlined in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, which is before the House of Representatives. The project aims to increase energy and efficiency and conservation, especially within the public sector,...

The Government will be expending $25.4 million this fiscal year, to strengthen the capacity of testing laboratories involved in the export of agricultural and agro-processed products to the European Union (EU) markets. The allocation, provided under the European Development Fund Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Capacity Building Project, is contained in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the...

The government will spend $24 million this financial year for the development of an Energy Services Company (ESCO) Industry in Jamaica. Details of this allocation are contained in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The allocation will go towards increasing public awareness of opportunities that exist in the ESCO industry and benefits to be gained...

The academic capacity of students at seven primary schools in East Kingston and Port Royal is expected to be significantly boosted, through the provision 56 portable tablet computers, valued at just over $950,000, by telecommunications firm, Digicel Jamaica. Institutions benefitting from the 56 Huawei tablets are the Elletson Road Primary, Holy Rosary Primary, Norman Gardens Primary, Rollington Town Primary, Windward...

Some $270 million has been allocated in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure to continue work on the Government’s Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement project. Being implemented by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), the project is expected to start phase one feasibility studies of five small hydro sites this fiscal year. Consultants will also be engaged to:...

Approximately $18.9 million has been set aside in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure to enhance the Information and Communications Technology (ICT), regulatory environment of the country. The project, which gets underway this month, will be implemented by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, with funding support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). It is scheduled to end in...

Government is to auction two licences for use in the 700 megahertz (MHz) band, with a view to attracting new entrants into the telecommunications market. This was disclosed by the Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, during Tuesday’s (March 26) sitting of the House of Representatives. The licences will be awarded to the highest bidders, once...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says individual behavioural changes are critical in the fight to conserve energy and reduce the country’s energy bill. He is calling on all Jamaicans to assess their consumption and seek to implement conservation measures. “Every Jamaican can start in his or her personal way. Sometimes we don’t stop to think...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says the Government is far advanced in implementing (telephone) number portability. He noted that all three major telecommunications providers, Digicel, LIME and FLOW are in support of its implementation. Addressing the House of Representatives on March 26, the Minister added that the stakeholders have been actively working with the Ministry...

Government is in the process of rolling out an islandwide broadband network to provide universal access to digital technology for all Jamaicans. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says this will be provided through the Universal Service Fund (USF). Mrs. Simpson Miller opined that more can be done to achieve the vision of Jamaica being “aknowledge-based and educated...

The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining has launched two web-based information systems geared at providing energy stakeholders with real time data. The systems, dubbed the National Energy Information Clearing House (NEICH) and the Energy Database and Management Information System (EDMIS), were officially unveiled during a press briefing at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston on Thursday, March 21....