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Gov’t Signs US$15-Million Loan for Energy Efficiency Programme

By: , November 23, 2017

The Key Point:

The Government of Jamaica has signed a US$15-million loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the implementation of the Energy Management and Efficiency Programme (EMEP).
Gov’t Signs US$15-Million Loan for Energy Efficiency Programme
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw (left); and Senior Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Shigeru Maeda, exchanging copies of the co-financing loan contract for the Energy Management and Efficiency Programme (EMEP), which they signed on Thursday, (November 23) in the Executive Conference Room at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Kingston.

The Facts

  • Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, explained that the sum is the second portion of a joint loan of US$30 million for the roll-out of the EMEP.
  • “The aim is to bolster the Government’s efforts in the areas of energy efficiency and conservation through the design and implementation of measures targeting key Government facilities, as well as fuel conservation in road transportation to reduce the demand for fuel imports,” Minister Shaw said.

The Full Story

The Government of Jamaica has signed a US$15-million loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the implementation of the Energy Management and Efficiency Programme (EMEP).

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, explained that the sum is the second portion of a joint loan of US$30 million for the roll-out of the EMEP.

He noted that the Government signed an agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the first US$15 million on November 10.

He informed that the European Union (EU) is providing US$10 million in grant funding towards the programme, which will be executed over eight years.

“The aim is to bolster the Government’s efforts in the areas of energy efficiency and conservation through the design and implementation of measures targeting key Government facilities, as well as fuel conservation in road transportation to reduce the demand for fuel imports,” Minister Shaw said.

He was speaking at the signing ceremony held on Thursday (November 23) at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle offices in Kingston.

Senior Vice President, JICA, Shigeru Maeda, in his remarks, said he is pleased with the partnership.

“I am very happy to sign the loan agreement… . I believe that this is a good project for energy conservation, which is important for Jamaica. This programme is in accordance with Vision 2030, which is the national development plan of Jamaica and contributes to achieve the outcome in energy security and efficiency. We expect a great synergy effect with this programme,” Mr. Maeda said.

EMEP, which is being executed by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) consists of three components.

Component one involves retrofitting the Health, Education and Public Agency (HEPA) government facilities. Energy efficiency and conservation measures will be undertaken in 73 HEPAs, including comprehensive retrofitting and installing light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.

Under component two, an Urban Traffic Management System (UTMS) will be implemented in Kingston. This involves installation of a central control platform for traffic monitoring, closed-circuit television cameras, and the training of National Works Agency (NWA) staff.

Component three will focus on providing the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) with additional expertise.

Training will be undertaken to support the implementation of an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to guide the development of a modern energy sector in Jamaica; technical experts will be contracted in energy efficiency and demand side management; and technical studies undertaken to support the IRP.

Last Updated: February 17, 2020

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