Government focused on increasing renewables – Wheatley

Energy Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley says his ministry is focused on increasing renewables to approximately 30 per cent of Jamaica's total energy mix by 2030.

Wheatley made the announcement yesterday during an interview with Jamaican journalists at the US Caribbean Central American Energy Summit in Washington DC.

The energy minister says various local players in the energy sector, including the Jamaica Public Service agree that Jamaica needs to explore cheaper energy sources which will be beneficial to everyone.

The two-day Summit, which ended yesterday launched the results of the energy task force for the Caribbean and Central America announced by President Obama last year, and identified steps that the United States and regional leaders can take to ensure that citizens achieve a more secure, affordable, and clean energy future.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who also attended the energy summit, promises that his government will be strategic in its efforts to diversify the country's energy sector.

He says the exchange at the energy summit has given him some insight into how other countries in the region are using alternative energy for their electricity, water and transportation sectors.

The Prime Minister returns to the island today.