Gov’t Boost Efforts to Develop Energy Services Industry

As part of efforts to build a sustainable energy efficiency sector, the Government has allocated $20 million to the Developing an Energy Services Company (ESCO) Industry project for this fiscal year.

This is contained in the Estimates of Expenditure, now being reviewed by the House of Representatives.

Implemented in April 2011 through funding from the European Union and the Government of Jamaica, the project aims to develop an energy savings industry in Jamaica by raising the level of awareness and understanding of the business of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

It also seeks to introduce new business models to enable increased levels of investment in and implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and increase stakeholder dialogue, trust and confidence in the industry.

Already, a Project Administration Unit has been established, and for 2012/13, it is envisaged that approximately 200,000 persons will be sensitised on the ESCO concept. In addition, 20 energy auditors, 50 engineers, administrators and bankers, and 10 trainers, are to be trained and certified.

It is also expected that workshops will be conducted for 10 institutions, 100 public entities and 30 young people, to be exposed to energy efficiency through ESCO.

The project is slated to end in March 2015.

By Alecia Smith-Edwards, JIS Reporter