PCJ to stage energy efficiency and conservation seminars

The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) will be staging a series of seminars to sensitise the public about the importance of energy conservation and efficiency to the social and economic sustainability of Jamaica.

Under the theme: ‘Jamaica’s Energy Future,’ the  seminars will be held throughout the year in Kingston with at least two in other parts of the country, and will cover, among other things, access to and the development of renewable energy technologies; energy efficiency and conservation; energy in the transport sector; as well as the thrust to lower electricity prices.

Chairman of the entity, Parris A. Lyew-Ayee, speaking at the launch of the series on Wednesday (February 9) at the entity’s Trafalgar Road headquarters, stated that energy security, efficiency and conservation are increasingly becoming imperative considerations for the Government and the people of Jamaica.

He said the series of seminars will seek to foster behaviour change in energy use, encourage conservation measures, and support the increased adoption of energy efficient products and building practices.

Householders, manufacturers in the business community, motorists, general business operators, media houses, students and the general society will be the target audience for the seminars.

Manufacturers and suppliers of different types of renewable energy materials will also be on hand, including Automatic Control Engineering, Isratech Jamaica, and Alternative Power Sources.

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, in his remarks at the launch, said that in addition to finding cheaper sources of fuel, Jamaica must “ramp up” its energy conservation programme to encourage greater efficiency in energy use.

“I really think that this is one that we have to ramp up …to inculcate in the minds of people, awareness and sensitivity to the fact that if we can save 10 per cent or 15 per cent, the difference that that could make to our competitiveness and to our own pockets,” he said.

He noted that the average Jamaican consumes 25 per cent more energy than the average person in China and two and a half times the amount of energy that the average person in India consumes. “We use energy recklessly and foolishly,” Mr. Golding said.

CONTACT: LATONYA LINTON