Energy Management And Efficiency Project Gets $313 Million

The Government is expected to spend approximately $313.5 million during the 2021/2022 fiscal year on the Energy Management and Efficiency Programme.

Details are outlined in the 2021/2022 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The objective of the project is to promote energy efficiency in government facilities and fuel conservation in road transportation by contributing to the avoidance of fuel imports.

The duration of the project is between November 2017 and November 2023.

Anticipated targets for the 2021/2022 fiscal year are to install energy-efficient lighting in 50 public buildings; acquire and install urban traffic management equipment to include software and physical upgrade of the central control system for communication, closed-circuit television (CCTV) and messaging boards in the Kingston Metropolitan Area; update the National Energy Policy; prepare an Integrated Energy Plan; and commence islandwide media campaign on energy awareness and conservation.

Achievements up to December 2020 include completed investment audit on electricity consumption at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, University Hospital of the West Indies, Port Maria Hospital, Annotto Bay Hospital, Spanish Town Hospital, Port Antonio Hospital and St. Ann’s Bay Hospital; and trained 272 facility managers in 30 public facilities, including schools, hospitals and government institutions, in electricity consumption management.

The funding agencies for the Energy Management and Efficiency Programme are the European Union, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.