Jamaicans can reduce their electricity bill – Broderick

Minister of State in the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Hon. Laurence Broderick, says with a good public education campaign, consumers can see a massive reduction in their electricity bills.
Speaking on Friday, December 10, at a handing over ceremony for a lighting efficiency system at the Percy Junor Hospital, in Clarendon, he noted that it is imperative that consumers manage their energy usage as with an expected rise in oil prices, the economy will be challenged to meet the energy bill.
“If we address this thing, we would be 50 per cent better off in our balance of payments. Energy goes to the heart of everything you do, we cannot continue in the way we are going, and we now have an administration that is going to in the next five to 15 years leave a track of dedication to energy efficiency,” he said.
“I guarantee you that if we get onto a massive education programme with proper ads, and get this message across, you all will be paying 30 to 50 per cent less on your JPS bill,” the Minister added.
The lighting efficiency improvement initiative at the Percy Junor Hospital, consists of the replacement of all T12 fluorescent lamps with energy efficient T8 lamps; and the replacement of all magnetic ballasts with energy efficient electric ballasts, at a cost of over $698,000 and savings of $411,000 per year.
Minister Broderick also handed over a lighting efficiency system to the Clarendon-based Chapelton Hospital, valued at over J$531,000, which will result in estimated energy savings of $440, 000 per year.
The energy initiative is a project of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), with aim of increased use of energy efficient technologies, more responsible behavior, less pollution and improved electrical system reliability, and a reduction in foreign currency outflow.