REMARKS

UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE, DENISE E ANTONIO

National Energy Policy Tenth Anniversary Symposium

AC Marriot Hotel

Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Salutations

It is an honour and a privilege to have been invited to bring remarks at the National Energy Policy Tenth Anniversary Symposium being hosted by the Ministry of Science, Energy & Technology (MSET). The Symposium is timely as the country celebrates ten (10) years of implementation of the National Energy Policy 2009-2030. UNDP is also grateful for the productive partnership we have shared with MSET which has yielded many results in advancing energy security in the country, including the formulation of the Energy Policy, regarded as one of the best policies developed by Jamaica’s policy-makers.

What is energy? Simply put, energy is the ability to do work. Former UN’s Secretary General Ban Ki-moon fittingly stated that “Sustainable Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity and an environment that allows the world to thrive.”  Energy is the lifeblood of the economy just as water is important to life. Energy is involved in all processes, all economic and social activities. It is the fuel to ensure that all Jamaicans are empowered to achieve their fullest potential and to make the country’s economy prosperous as reflected in the Goals of Vision 2030 Jamaica. To end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change impels us to energize the seventeen (17) ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme of the Symposium today, “Energy at your service: Empowering People: Building Resilience” aptly summarizes the awesome role sustainable energy can play in transforming and enhancing the quality of people’s lives aligned to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.  

Jamaica is endowed with a diversity of sustainable energy sources and UNDP lauds the Government in achieving many outstanding results and successfully implementing many projects that have furthered the goal of diversifying the energy mix, increasing the penetration of renewables and other forms of sustainable energy and promoting energy efficiency. The Government has been working relentlessly to develop an enabling policy environment conducive to expanding sustainable energy and achieving energy security. Sustainable energy retrofits in public buildings; Net-billing, Wigton Windfarm, Eight Rivers Solar Powered Plant and greater use of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), among others are some of the major projects that Government support and a conducive policy environment have enabled.

Notwithstanding these notable achievements, a tenth anniversary, while a time of celebration, is also a time for deep reflection and introspection. It is a time to assess and apply lessons learnt to ensure a brighter future. At about 90% dependence on imported fossil fuels, Jamaica is still spending just under USD 2 billion (US$1.7 billion in 2018) on oil, making the country highly vulnerable to market volatility, geopolitical tensions, natural disasters and other external shocks. The high reliance on imported oil translates to high cost of energy, creating global competitive challenges for Jamaican businesses and the economy and resulting in high household expenditure on energy services (including transportation). While the percentage of the population in Jamaica who have access to electricity is about 98 percent many persons struggle to afford energy services. Poverty and high energy costs are inextricably linked. At the global level, more than one billion persons live on $1.25 or less a day in developing countries and one in five people still lack access to modern forms of electricity. The evidence shows us that high cost of energy is a barrier to full human development.

Access to sustainable energy helps lift people out of poverty and hunger; enhances food security and helps to improve the quality of life for all.  Access to clean energy also plays a significant role in reducing child mortality and malnutrition, lessening the incidence of waterborne diseases and respiratory illnesses, reducing food related diseases and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

The Government recognizes that education is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for achieving the country’s sustainable development. Access to affordable, clean energy is critical in providing adequate educational and income-generating activities for men and women and lessening the gender gap. As the country implements initiatives to improve citizens’ safety and security, adequate lighting is essential in lessening crime and violence, especially for women and girls.

As the Government works to improve Jamaica’s competitiveness, upgrade of infrastructure and retrofitting of industries to make them more sustainable is critical. Innovation and new and improved technologies are important to achieving greater energy efficiency and enhanced use of resources. The country’s energy intensity is quite significant.

Achieving the SDGs and Vision 2030 Jamaica is predicated on improving resilience to climate change. With the burning of fossils for energy being the main source of greenhouse gases, it is essential that Jamaica advances climate change mitigation, a feat that can be done in promoting sustainable forms of energy. Climate change mitigation is also imperative if the country is to achieve its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of mitigating the equivalent of 1.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year by 2030.

UNDP is committed to work with the Government and all other relevant partners to achieve world class energy services. Support to expanding renewable energy in the health sector and advancing an Energy Services Company (ESCO) industry in Jamaica is one of the initiatives that we are currently implementing with the Government. The US$ 2.5 million “Deployment of Renewable Energy and Improvement of Energy Efficiency in the Public Sector” Project is being implemented in collaboration with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), with financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Development Bank of Jamaica and PCJ. Worthy of mention is the tremendous partnership between UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) and the Government of Jamaica. By empowering Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the GEF SGP has supported several projects to provide alternative energy solutions to communities, such as the introduction of solar photovoltaics in Majestic Gardens and training youth in renewable energy technology.

I congratulate you on this the Tenth Anniversary of the National Energy Policy and I am sure that Energy Week 2019 has been successfully showcasing Jamaica’s exciting journey to affordable and clean energy services.  Noting the tenacity, intelligence and perseverance of the Jamaican people, UNDP will continue to partner with the Government and other stakeholders to ensure that: no one is left behind; every Jamaican child can achieve his or her fullest potential; every household can afford clean energy services; every community and public space can be adequately lighted; every business can access clean and affordable energy; economic growth is not hampered by high energy costs; transportation is world class, fuelled by clean energy; sustainable energy will illuminate a low carbon path for “Jamaica to be the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business”.

I wish you a productive, insightful and informative Symposium.

Ladies and Gentlemen – A Big Thank You.