Fuelling Jamaica with Energy Diversification

The Jamaican Government has been actively pursuing strategies to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel and to enhance energy security, by diversifying its energy sources and investing in renewable energy.

The National Energy Policy

The National Energy Policy 2030 serves as the roadmap for achieving energy security and outlines a clear vision for Jamaica’s energy future. The targets are to:

• Have at least 50 per cent of the country’s electricity generated from renewable sources.
• Transition power plants from oil-based fuels to Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).
• Partner with local and international investors to develop energy infrastructure and technology.
• Incentivise the adoption of electric vehicles (private) and electric public passenger buses.

Investments in Renewable Energy

Jamaica is advancing toward energy self-sufficiency by investing in renewable energy, offering incentives and encouraging public-private partnerships; some of which are outlined below.

• The National Housing Trust (NHT) offers Smart Energy Grants to Public Sector pensioners for installing solar panel systems in homes and provides Smart Energy Loans of $1.5 million for homeowners to adopt energy-saving technology.

• In 2024, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service declared that major components utilised in the installation of solar systems, such as the solar photovoltaic panels, solar inverters and solar batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, are exempt from General Consumption Tax (GCT).

• The Paradise Park Solar Farm and Wigton Wind Farm are key producers of renewable energy in Jamaica, supplying the national grid and cutting carbon emissions.

• The Government continues to explore biofuels, including ethanol-blended fuels and biodiesel, to support transportation and industrial energy needs. For example, E-10 fuel introduced in 2008 was produced locally by fermenting and distilling sugar cane.

For additional information, contact:

Petrojam Limited
Address: 96 Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston 15
Telephone: 876-923-8611-5
Email: gmo@petrojam.com
Website: www.petrojam.com

National Housing Trust
Address: 4 Park Boulevard, Kingston 5
Telephone: 876-929-6500-9
Email: wecare@nht.gov.jm
Website: https://www.nht.gov.jm/

Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport
Address: PCJ Building, 36 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10
Telephone: 876-929-8990-9/876-960-1623
Website: www.mset.gov.jm
Email: info@mset.gov.jm
Facebook: MSETGovJa
Instagram: msetgovjm
X: MSETGovJM