Energy and Mining Minister says
NEP Will Protect Energy Investments
Minister of
Energy and Mining, Hon. James Robertson, makes a point
while addressing the launch of the European Union (EU)
funded Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ)/Caribbean
Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) 'Capacity
Building of Caribbean Private Sector Environmental and
Energy Management Capabilities' project at the Jamaica
Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on Wednesday (September 15).
Minister of Energy and Mining, the Hon. James Robertson,
is contending that Government's efforts to implement the
National Energy Policy (NEP), particularly focusing on
renewable energy, will protect approximately US$3
billion in investments anticipated for the sector.
Mr. Robertson noted that
with energy efficiency and conservation central to
efforts to reduce Jamaica's fuel bill, and the thrust
towards modernizing and diversifying energy generation
and fuel use, the country was "looking at up to US$3
billion worth of investments."
Minister of
Energy and Mining, Hon. James Robertson (right),
speaking with Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ)
President, Joseph M. Matalon, during Wednesday's
(September 15) launch of the European Union (EU) funded
joint PSOJ/Caribbean Association of Industry and
Commerce (CAIC) 'Capacity Building of Caribbean Private
Sector Environmental and Energy Management Capabilities'
project, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on
Wednesday (September 15).
"That's not a small amount of money," the
Minister said, arguing that the policies that are being
put in place will protect and drive this level of
investment. He also pointed to several sub-policies of
the Policy which have either been drafted or are being
pursued.
These include: the draft of the Renewable Energy Policy, which has been posted on the Ministry's website; the draft of the Waste Energy policy, which will be posted this week for public consideration; bio-energy fuels energy policy; and the carbon emissions and trading policy.
"The Ministry of Energy and Mining is committed and being driven to give this country the policies and the platform for us to really and truly speak with one voice, in terms of our seriousness in energy conservation," he assured.
The Capacity Building of
the Caribbean Private Sector Environmental and Energy
Management Capabilities project is being jointly
undertaken by the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica
(PSOJ), and Caribbean Association of Industry and
Commerce (CAIC) based in Trinidad and Tobago and funded
by the European Union (EU).
Minister of
Energy and Mining, Hon. James Robertson (right),
presenting copies of Jamaica's National Energy Policy to
Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) Chief
Executive Officer, Sandra Glasgow, during Wednesday's
(September 15) launch of the European Union (EU) funded
PSOJ/Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC)
'Capacity Building of Caribbean Private Sector
Environmental and Energy Management Capabilities'
project, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
It will cost 790,818
pounds ($82 million), and involves an assessment of the
policy framework for energy and environmental
management, relative to the private sector.
Mr. Robertson assured the PSOJ and the CAIC that the
government is in full support and in step with their
objectives.