PCJ launches US$40M Energy Management and Efficiency Programme

The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) today launched its US$40 million Energy Management and Efficiency Programme to be implemented at 80 government facilities across the island with the aim of reducing the Government's spend

The PCJ says the primary objectives of programme are to reduce electricity and fuel consumption by improving energy efficiency in the public sector through retrofits at government facilities and the improvement of urban traffic management in order to shorten travel times.

It also aims to strengthen the technical capabilities of the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology to enhance energy planning.

The programme, which is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the European Union Caribbean Investment Facility, was launched at a workshop which was held at the PCJ Auditorium in New Kingston.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders to discuss the programme’s objectives, expectations of the programme’s sponsors and donors and the government’s perspective on the anticipated outcomes of the programme. 

Speaking at the launch, Winston Watson, Group General Manager of the PCJ said, “While the PCJ has been supporting the Government of Jamaica’s objective of diversifying the country’s energy mix in the medium term, for the short term we have been actively forging partnerships to access funding for energy efficiency projects which will reduce energy consumption in the public sector and bring some immediate savings".

“With the implementation of the EMEP we hope to transform energy usage in public sector agencies and promote fuel conservation in the transport sector through modern interventions and a more efficient traffic management system. These measures will not only lower our fossil fuel imports but they should also reduce our carbon footprint which will help to preserve the environment,” he added.

In giving her opening remarks at the launch, Dr. Malaika Masson, Senior regional Energy specialist and Project Team, Inter-American Development Bank said “The Government of Jamaica is a signatory to the UN Convention on Climate Change and has committed to reducing C02 emissions by 7%. We expect EMEP to avoid 34,000 tons of C02 emissions, marking an important step towards reducing Jamaica’s carbon footprint, one which the private sector is encouraged to follow".

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