The Wigton Wind Farm expansion project in the west-central parish of Manchester will include the installation of nine new two-megawatt wind turbines that will generate 18 megawatts of power, increasing the total amount of energy produced by Wigton to 38.7 megawatts. The power will be sold to the Jamaica Public Service for domestic use.

The expansion, which is fully financed from the PetroCaribe Development Fund, will mean approximately 55 gigawatt hours of energy, enough to power about 24,000 homes. It will also result in saving about 32,400 barrels of oil valued at US$2.3 million, and in so doing, avoid 45,954 tonnes of carbon emissions, as wind energy is cleaner than energy derived from oil.

Minister of Energy and Mining James Robertson will break ground for the project next Wednesday, March 17th. He said the plant is scheduled to be commissioned in July.

He added that the project advances the new thrust outlined in the National Energy Policy.

“A cornerstone of this policy is diversifying our energy base. We will find new ways to power our economy and to reduce the amount of energy we use. We will explore indigenous sources of energy and clean technologies, thereby injecting life into research institutions and generating new, green jobs at a time when new jobs are so sorely needed,” he said.

“This policy will also enable us to reduce pollution and thereby protect the health of all Jamaicans as they go about their daily business. It will demonstrate that Jamaica is a responsible global citizen as we minimise our emissions of greenhouse gases, and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The expansion of the Wigton Wind Farm will increase Jamaica’s energy output from renewable sources and help the country to meet its target of 11 per cent of energy needs from renewable sources by 2010. At present, only five per cent of Jamaica’s energy comes from renewable sources.

Wigton Wind Farm is a subsidiary of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, which is an agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mining. It was incorporated in 2000 to develop wind farms and similar renewable energy systems to harness energy for generation of electricity for commercial and domestic use.

As the world looks to 2010 for the grip of the global economic crisis to lessen and recovery to take firmer hold, it is important to realise that there are still dangers to economic growth.

CARICOM has been vulnerable to the global crisis. Small island states also face unique challenges, in terms of economic growth, trade, climate change, water and natural disasters. The World Bank is committed to partnering with CARICOM to help countries build sustainable and inclusive growth.

“At yesterday’s meeting we discussed a number of the key issues facing the region: the impact of the economic crisis, climate change, debt, and financial jurisdiction issues. I very much appreciated our useful discussions and the practical problem solving approach of CARICOM leaders. I learned important insights from the leaders’ exchange.

“We also had the opportunity to discuss the tragic earthquake in Haiti and the way forward. I met with President Rene Preval in Washington on Tuesday to discuss how the World Bank can best support Haiti in the coming months. The World Bank has provided an additional US$100 million in grants in response to the earthquake, while our private sector arm, the IFC has also made an additional US$35 million investment to help boost jobs.

The World Bank also joined other donors in 2009 granting Haiti US$1.2 billion in debt relief through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative,” said Zoellick

In its exchange on debt, ways in which the World Bank can work to help countries identify options and customize a framework for debt sustainability and economic growth were explored.

The World Bank boss further added: “CARICOM is particularly active on climate change, and the world is increasingly recognizing the needs of the small island states. The World Bank can help CARICOM with increasing its resilience to climate change, innovative financing, and low carbon growth strategies that include a focus on reducing the cost andincreasing the efficiency– of energy in the region.”

The Bank’s private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation, is exploring opportunities to support renewable options, such as geothermal, hydro, wind and solar, along with an energy efficiency program.

With regards to financial jurisdictions, Caricom heads discussed the range of issues the region faces in complying with international standards under the OECD and G-20. “The World Bank will continue to support countries with advice and assistance to put the necessary legal frameworks and treaties in place. While it is in the region’s interest to complete these steps as quickly as possible, we recognise their special circumstances and are pleased to work with countries as needed on the implementation path,” said Zoellick

The Government made a significant move towards establishing a regional centre for renewable energy research in T&T when it hosted energy policymakers from the United States and other Caribbean territories at the Hilton Trinidad yesterday. Energy Minister Conrad Enill said the meeting was important because it acknowledged the new reality that renewable energy will play an enhanced role in the region’s thrust towards sustainable development. He said the partnership with the US Department of Energy “will see the consummation of a partnership between T&T and the US to establish the region’s first renewable energy research centre that would conduct varied work in this field for the benefit of all countries in the region.” “Climate change has been an ongoing focal point of discussion since last April during the Fifth Summit of the Americas, when (US) President (Barack) Obama and leaders across the hemisphere launched the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas. “Talks on climate change continued at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) and at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit.”

Uncontrolled emission
Enill said countries in this part of the world are extremely vulnerable to the negative outcomes of continued uncontrolled emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. “Issues such as sea level rise, the increase in the frequency and the destructiveness of hurricanes and marine life reduction, can and will cause massive problems for our developing economies.” Enill said that statistically T&T and the entire Caribbean basin are negligible contributors to global carbon emissions. He criticised researchers who focused on per capita emissions as a key policy tool. He said placing emphasis on per capita emission for policy purposes was flawed because “the problem we are facing is caused by an agglomeration of emissions in the atmosphere, and the amount emitted by a single person in a particular country is not as important or relevant as the total sum.

“The usefulness of saying a country is the number one per capita emitter in a situation where that country’s emissions represent a statically insignificant portion of the world’s total, is lost to me. “It does not mean that such countries should abdicate their portion of collective responsibility, but… this is a global issue and a concerted community effort is required to address it.”

Renewable energy initiatives
Enill said T&T has taken the mantle to be at the forefront of renewable energy initiatives in the region, and the US Department of Energy will be providing technical assistance and support for the research centre. “The world is facing global climatic uncertainty. Nations are faced with rising sea levels, and untimely weather patterns and renewable energy are assuming a more important role… these kinds of programmes will cease to become an option, but a necessity.” He said commitments are needed, and substantive action is required, for the development of clean energy, and to slow down climate change.

At the time of this meeting the ministry was reviewing the Green Paper on renewable energy and climate change which was supposed to be out for public consultation last week.

The project will include the installation of nine new two-megawatt wind turbines that will generate 18 megawatts of power, increasing the total amount of energy produced by Wigton to 38.7 megawatts. The power will be sold to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) for domestic use.

In addition, plant operating facilities will be improved and a resource room for educational and technical information exchange established.

The expansion will mean approximately 55 gigawatt hours of energy, enough to power about 24,000 homes. It will also result in saving of about 32,400 barrels of oil valued at US$2.3 million, and in so doing, avoid 45,954 tonnes of carbon emissions, as wind energy is cleaner than energy derived from oil.

The project advances the new energy thrust by the Government and the Ministry of Energy and Mining, as stated in the National Energy Policy.

Minister of Energy and Mining, James Robertson

According to Robertson, “a cornerstone of this policy is diversifying our energy base. We will find new ways to power our economy and to reduce the amount of energy we use. We will explore indigenous sources of energy and clean technologies, thereby injecting life into research institutions and generating new, green jobs at a time when new jobs are so sorely needed.”

He noted further that “this policy will also enable us to reduce pollution and thereby protect the health of all Jamaicans as they go about their daily business. It will demonstrate that Jamaica is a responsible global citizen as we minimise our emissions of greenhouse gases, and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The expansion of the Wigton Wind Farm will increase Jamaica’s energy output from renewable sources and help the country to meet its target of 11 per cent of energy needs from renewable sources by 2010. At present, only 5 per cent of Jamaica’s energy comes from renewable sources.

Wigton Wind Farm is a subsidiary of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), which is an agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mining. Wigton was incorporated in 2000 to develop wind farms and similar renewable energy systems to harness energy for generation of electricity for commercial and domestic use.

Wigton has been supplying wind generated energy to the JPS grid and at Munro College, in St. Elizabeth for some time. The expansion will add to this effort.

The project will be built on a turnkey basis by Vestas Eolica of Spain with local input in engineering, studies and construction. Wigton has said that commissioning of the plant is scheduled for July 2010 and the project is 100 per cent financed from the PetroCaribe Development Fund.

Barbados Minister, David Estwick (fp)

Minister of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr David Estwick, made this revelation recently, while addressing the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation’s symposium on entrepreneurship, innovation and renewable energy.

In explaining the process, Estwick announced Cabinet had already approved a plan to approach the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for assistance in preparing the relevant legislation to effect this.

In lauding the proposal he said: “Such an initiative will come with the necessary fiscal incentives to encourage the efficient generation of energy from these alternative sources.”

The Minister also disclosed that government would “take the reins in retrofitting its buildings and in revamping its fleet of vehicles in order to conserve its own use of fossil fuel energy”.

Even though the current Income Tax Provision Act covered the cost of energy audits up to $2 000 as part of the general Income Tax Allowance for Home Improvement of $10, 000 in an income year, Dr Estwick alluded to the creation of a separate allowance in energy conservation.

“A proposal has been made for the creation of a separate allowance called the Renewable Energy Conservation and Renewable Deduction.” [It will involve] a maximum of $5,000 per year over a five year period, to cover the cost of an energy audit and 50 per cent of the cost of retrofitting a residence or, installing a system to produce electricity from a source other than fossil fuels.”

The Economic Affairs Minister revealed there was an increased demand for environmentally friendly and renewable energy solutions, particularly in the areas of construction, transport and manufacturing.

Source: CaribbeanNetNews

Participants in the two-week pre training exercise for the Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impacts (MESSAGE) take time to interact during the introductory session of the opening ceremony in the PCJ Auditorium on March 3, 2010. The participants were taken from various organizations and institutions that have a direct relationship with the energy sector. The model will be used to formulate and evaluate alternative energy supply strategies for a country or region.

Over 30 professionals in the energy sector are participating in a two-week pre-training course in the use of an energy modeling software, which will assist in building the country’s sustainable energy capacity.

The software, called the Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental impacts (MESSAGE) is used to formulate and evaluate alternative energy supply strategies for a country or region.

It combines technologies and fuels to construct so-called “energy chains” making it possible to map energy flows from the supply side (resource extraction) to demand side, which entails energy services.

The model can help design long-term strategies by analysing cost optimal energy mixes, investment needs and other costs for new infrastructure, energy supply security, energy resource utilisation, rate of introduction of new technologies, and environmental constraints.

The course, which is being conducted through the use of video conferencing, distributed compact discs (CDs) and online tutoring, is being hosted at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica in Kingston from March 3 to March 12, and targets professionals in the energy and electric utilities sectors as well as specialised institutions involved in energy sector planning and development.

Senior Director of the Energy Division in the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Conroy Watson, informed that the software is one in a series that has been provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“One of the strong points in the use of this software is the different mixes of energy that we should have, meaning - wind, solar, hydro, biomass - and over what time period we can phase in the different mixes to give us the optimal output. This blends well with Vision 2030,” he said.

Mr. Watson informed that during the two weeks, participants “will get familiar with the application of the software.”

“It has a very strong environmental component. It also indicates the data requirement that will be involved when the full training comes along and it is also part of the whole process of sustainability, in that the more candidates who have (been) trained (in the use of the) software, then it’s the wider the application of the software in Jamaica,” he informed.
He informed that the trainers from the IAEA will be in the island in April to complete the other aspect of training.

The participants are drawn from the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), Ministry of Transport and Works, Ministry of Energy and Mining, National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), University of Technology (UTech), the National Water Commission (NWC), among others.

Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS)

The 18-member Task Force which was established by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, is to be chaired by electrical engineer Edward Baynes while project manager Brian Lyn is to be the deputy chair of the body.

Baynes noted “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on this Task Force. We have a lot of work to do and I am looking forward to the challenge. I think that renewable energy is the way to go. We are blessed with an abundance of sunshine and wind and we should harness them.”

“I am confident that this task force will produce a progressive Energy Policy. This Task Force includes some of the best minds in Antigua and Barbuda. We are happy that they have come on board to assist the government to develop and implement a comprehensive Energy Policy,” said Chief Implementation Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Joan Underwood.

Source: CaribbeanNetNews.com

The grant was approved on March 1, 2010 to an historic sum of $1,000,000 USD.

The project is classified as a special operation with the Inter-American Development Bank serving as the executing agency.

For more visit: www.iadb.org

The feedback from the Consultation will feed into a National Sustainable Energy Policy.

This policy is to be drafted by the National Energy Task Force, which was established by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

Chief Implementation Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Joan Underwood said the government is committed to furthering the use of renewable energy in Antigua and Barbuda and we can generate much of our energy needs by harnessing the power of the sun and the wind.

The government’s efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels has been recognised by several key partners including Caricom and OAS, who have pledged to assist the government in developing and implementing its energy policy.

Last week, a three-member mission from the Caricom Secretariat and the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP) visited the island to hold discussions with national stakeholders and to examine the ways in which they could assist Antigua and Barbuda’s quest to tap into renewable energy sources.

Ambassador Underwood noted, “These partners recognise that we are serious about renewable energy and are willing to provide support in several areas including capacity building.

“We are grateful for the assistance that we have been receiving so far and we will continue to seek additional assistance from other regional and international stakeholders.”

The consultation will allow people to help the government in crafting and implementing its renewable energy agenda.

Source: Caribdaily.com

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer first made the announcement in his New Year’s address to the nation saying that his government will be taking definitive steps to address the issue of energy sustainability.

To this end, a sustainable energy desk was established to advise the government on prospective energy-related research and development projects, and to identify and champion key activities geared toward increasing energy efficiency and conservation.

Speaking at consultation held at the Prime Minister Office on Friday, Advocacy Advisor in the Caricom Secretariat, Carlton James, said the use of renewable energy is already in many Caribbean countries and needs to be adapted by more.

James added that the media should play a pivotal role in promoting the government’s stance on renewable energy by creating a greater awareness of the issue.

“You need to be in a position to be able to identify challenges and the opportunities that are presented by issues of energy and energy efficiency with relevant sources within the country and the wider Caribbean.”

Principal Advisor of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme Thomas Scheutzlich intimated that Antigua and Barbuda can make use of wind and solar energy in all their forms.
He said the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme, is supported by the German government and implemented by the Caricom Secretariat which coordinates energy programmes and policies.

“We do that in the entire Caribbean since 2004 and basically, we support governments in creating framework conditions for the application of renewable energy and energy efficiency that includes technical assistance in resource assessment, energy policies, capacity building and also network international best practice.”

He further indicated that Caricom commends Antigua and Barbuda on the steps it has taken to lessen dependency on fossil fuels.

Programme Manager of Energy, Joseph Williams, also praised the country for making the very important step in establishing a desk to focus on energy issues, more importantly sustainable energy.

The Caricom delegation has pledged to continue to provide technical support and assistance to the government as it moves to develop its National Energy Policy.

Source: Antiguan Sun