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MINING AND ENERGY
Among the primary imperatives of a new JLP government will be
the need to lower the cost of energy and minimize the long-term
impacts of fossil-fuel consumption.
Our dependence on imported oil with its cyclical price volatility
continues to threaten our prospects for economic growth.
We intend to deploy a multifaceted strategy to create a more
competitive energy environment. This will include:
•
Modernising the electricity generation infrastructure.
•
Diversifying the fuel mix by increasing use and development
of renewable energy sources
•
Strengthening regulations and institutions
•
Promoting energy efficiency and conservation
Develop and Implement a Green Energy
Policy.
As part of this process, we will:
•
Implement mechanisms geared toward the promotion of
energy efficiency and conservation;
•
Review the National Energy Policy (NEP) to set out an
effective regulatory framework, with the aim of protecting the
environmental, social and economic interests of Jamaica;
•
Improve energy infrastructure with the objective of reducing
Jamaica’s energy carbon footprint.
Consistent with our Green Energy objectives, we will:
•
Reduce electricity consumption in the Public Service
through an energy efficiency programme. A target will be set
for the reduction of national demand for energy over a 5
year period;
•
Work with relevant agencies and distributors to ensure
an adequate supply of energy efficient appliances –
refrigerators, air conditioning units, washers, dryers, ovens
and televisions;
•
Encourage the most efficient type of electricity generation
alongside alternative energy sources;
•
Enforce energy efficiency standards and codes for
appliances and buildings, with the goal of reducing energy
consumption in new buildings by 50% by 2020 and ensuring
that all new buildings use zero net energy by 2025.