Sustainable Energy & Development News VOL.1 JUNE 2012
THE MONTHLY REVIEW OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & DEVELOPMENT NEWS IN THE CARIBBEAN FROM THE REGION”S LEADING INFORMATION PLATFORMS.
This publication is prepared by the Caribbean Energy Information System. What’s Happening Now Across The Region... Jamaican Government moves closer to Renewable Energy market. The government is moving to liberalise the Renewable Energy market with amendments to the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Act. The Parliament is being asked to back a resolution tabled by Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell aimed at breaking the PCJ’s monopoly on renewable energy initiatives in the island. Read more
Bahamas Water & Sewerage installs pilot Desalination System A new Integrated Pump and Energy Recovery (IPER) system for larger desalination facilities was introduced on 2 July 2012 at the Singapore International Water Week by General Electric (GE). GE claims it will reduce energy demands associated with pumping water by at least 10%. Read more
Small Island Developing States like Dominica to benefit from Rio pledge Small Island Developing states like Dominica, are comforted by news that US$513 billion worth of funding has been pledged by governments of developed countries, towards a sustainable future. Read more
JUNE 2012 IN REVIEW BE IN THE KNOW ON RENEWABLE ENERGY
We are connected! Join us on… CIPORE EVENTS, See All Events JPS ISO 50001 Energy Management Seminar July 10-12, 2012 Wind Resource Assessment: A Capacity Building Workshop July 13, 2012 Implementation Meeting – ECS Green Growth Investment Forum (GGIF) July 25- 26th, 2012 GEOLAC 2012 September 17- 18, 2012 CARILEC Renewable Energy Forum 2012 September 18-19, 2012 World Tourism Day 2012 “Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development”. September 27, 2012 Energy Caribbean Conference 2012 October 2-3, 2012 CREF 2012 October 15- 17, 2012
29-6-2012 ||Anguilla Renewable Energy Integration Project draft Report The information contained in this draft report of the Anguilla Renewable Energy Integration Project is only for information purposes and may be subject to further revision. Read more 29-6-2012 ||Bahamian owned Engineering and Energy development company makes courtesy call on Grand Bahama Port Authority The energy development compay’s energy audits reduce electricity bills with recommendations and implementation such as installing solar, wind and other renewable energy systems. Read more 29-6-2012 ||Electricity coverage at 97.5 %- Renewable Energy to provide solution for remaning 60,000 homes Rather than tap into the grid to access expensive fossil fuel generated electricity, the Jamaica Government is pushing for the remaining 2.5 per cent of homes to utilize renewable sources. Read more 28-6-2012 || IDB approves $17 million for Barbados smart energy program The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced the approval of a $17 million loan to support Barbados’ Public Sector Smart Energy program. This agreement facilitates cooperation in areas such as social cohesion and poverty reduction, regional integration and trade development, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change and statistics. Read more 28-6-2012 ||NSWMA and JICA sign MoU to pursue the conversion of solid waste to energy The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) to fund the expansion of a compost facility as part of efforts to pursue the conversion of solid waste to energy. Read more
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27-6-2012 || Towards Greening Barbados Economy The significant increase in Barbados’ fossil fuel consumption can be directly linked to the fact that the generation of electricity and transportation represents 50% and 33% respectively of total fuel imports in 2010. Read more 27-6-2012 ||Street Light Audit underway for Solar Retrofitting The Audit is in keeping with initiatives by the Jamaican Government to reduce high energy costs. The Ministry is also undertaking a pilot project with Green RG for the retrofitting of over 5,000 street lights with solar/LED lighting. Read more 24-6-2012 || Updated: Final Prototype PPA for Renewable Energy Projects – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for the Caribbean Updated on June 25, 2012- The Final Prototype Power Purchase Agreement that was developed under the IDB-funded Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Project for CARILEC. Read more 23-6-2012 ||Statement by the Most Honourable Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development ‘Sustainable development’ is without meaning unless it takes full account of the ‘triple bottom line’ – the social, economic and environmental pillars. We must use these three pillars to redress historic social inequities, build an economic base to improve standards of living Read more 21-6-2012 ||Minister Paulwell heads Jamaican delegation to Cuba to discuss Renewable Energy Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell is to lead a five member delegation to Cuba to hold discussions on renewable energy as well as the ICT sector. Read more 20-6-2012 ||DBJ Champions Energy efficient businesses with Renewable Energy The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) launched DBJ GreenBiz, an energy efficiency project that gives local small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) technical and financial assistance in energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy. Read more
Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum 2012 San Juan, Puerto Rico October 15-17, 2012
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CIPORE TESTIMONIAL OF THE MONTH “The Physics Department, the University of the West Indies, offers a major in Alternative Energy concentrating on Solar, Wind and Hydropower and Integrating Alternative Energy (into energy systems). The Caribbean Information Platform on Renewable Energy (CIPORE) is a valuable resource and students in the Solar Power Course are required to report on articles read on the CIPORE platform. This exercise serves the dual function of introducing them to CIPORE and extending their knowledge of Renewable Energy outside the domain of the classroom. Please keep up the good work.” DharmaratneAmarakoon A. Anthony Chen Tannecia Stephenson Department of Physics The University of the West Indies Mona, Kingston 7 Jamaica June 18, 2012
19-6-2012 ||St Kitts and Nevis to waive taxes on Renewable Energy Equipment St Kitts and Nevis’ Cabinet has approved the waiving of taxes on a range of equipment that produces Alternative Energy. Read more 19-6-2012 ||Schools get awards in “Improving the Lives of our Citizens through Renewable Energy and/or Energy Efficient Technologies and Products” Competition in Jamaica. This competition challenged the students to address energy issues that are currently impacting various aspects of life in Jamaica. In the essay competition, entrants were asked to tackle topics such as “investing in developing renewable energy resources instead of oil and gas exploration”. Read more 18-6-2012 || Small island states with ambitious energy ambitions ahead of Rio+20 Small island states are setting an ambitious energy agenda for the upcoming Rio+20 meetings, urging more financial support for their struggle in replacing fossil fuels with Renewable Energy for their energy supply. Read more 18-6-2012 ||Parottee home owners go Wind, Solar The school choir and others at the Kholov residence at Parottee, just outside the St Elizabeth parish capital, Black River, were celebrating their hosts’ departure from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) electricity grid. Thanks to a mix of wind and solar energy applications. Read more 18-6-2012 || JSEA Public Forum on Climate Change The Jamaica Solar Energy Association (JSEA) hosted a Public Forum on Energy on Monday, June 18, 2012. Presenters Anthony Lambkin and Eleanor Ereira from the InfoDev World Bank Group gave a brief outline of plans for the establishment of a Caribbean Innovation Centre under its Climate Technology Programme. Read more 18-6-2012 ||In Antigua and Barbuda, biodigestors will lead to energy savings The Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment of Antigua and Barbuda, is implementing a pilot project in which small-scale producers receive training in the installation of biodigestors. Read more 18-6-2012 || Climatescope 2012 – Index highlights Latin America and Caribbean clean energy opportunities Latin America and the Caribbean boast extraordinary renewable energy resources and much of the region has seen strong economic growth in recent years. Still, the local clean energy sector is just beginning to gain traction, last year attracting less than 5 % of an estimated $280 billion invested worldwide. Read more
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS, EXPRESSIONS OF INTERESTS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Apply for an International Ashden Award 2013 POSTCODE LOTTERY GREEN CHALLENGE 2012Give your green idea a shot at €500,000 2012 Renewable Energy Projects of the Year Awards Caribbean Idea Marketplace Business Plan Competition EDULINK II Call for Proposals Launched EUCARINET 2012 Travel Grant Scheme Anniversary Scholarship Submissions Open July 2 – Energy Included
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14-6-2012 || Green Globe certifies Rosalie Bay Resort in Dominica Rosalie Bay Resort features 96 solar panels and a 225 kilowatt wind turbine, the first wind turbine on Dominica and one of the largest in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. Currently, most of the energy used at the resort comes from renewable sources, including the energy to heat water. An additional 106 more efficient solar panels are to be installed later this year. Read more 14-6-2012 ||Cuba will vigorously develop renewable energy As a commitment to the development of national energy security and strategic industries, the Cuban government has said that within the next eight domestic renewable energy production will increase by 12%. Read more 14-6-2012 || Caribbean renewables have made a sluggish start, but could still gather steam Monopolistic state-owned utilities are often considered the root cause of stagnation in what should be buoyant renewables markets, given the abundance of sun, sea and wind. The most recent incident is the case of the much-anticipated Nevis geothermal project. Read more 14-6-2012 ||Minister Paulwell stands by renewable energy The Minister said he was pleased that the National Housing Trust had agreed to give loans for solar energy and with the recent announcement from the Minister of Finance that there will no longer be any import duties or GCT on solar equipment. Read more 14-6-2012 ||A Snapshot at Belize’s Renewable Potential In an era when the fossil fuel source continues to hit record-high price, Belize is well-positioned to harness extensive breeds of renewable, and greener energy sources that are sustainable for the longer-term — such is also the key to long-term prosperity. Read more 11-6-2012 ||Online Solar Installation Training- US Solar Institute “We receive a lot of calls from Jamaican students who want to take part in our solar workshops or electricity training courses but simply can’t find the time or money to get away. If this sounds like you, we’re thrilled to introduce two new ways for you to start your solar training without leaving home.” Read more 11-6-2012 ||Regional stakeholders discuss radiation in Jamaica Stakeholders from across the region are participating in a five-day workshop examining the need to improve the regulatory infrastructures for radiation safety, and the security of radioactive sources. Read more 10-6-2012 ||US Company likely to set up Solar Farm On BVI; Research Already Done – Hon. Pickering A Tennessee-based company may soon move to set up a solar farm on Anegada as government looks to use that island as a major pilot project for renewable energy in the territory. This recent development was announced by Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour. Read more
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS, EXPRESSIONS OF INTERESTS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Apply for an International Ashden Award 2013 POSTCODE LOTTERY GREEN CHALLENGE 2012Give your green idea a shot at €500,000 2012 Renewable Energy Projects of the Year Awards Caribbean Idea Marketplace Business Plan Competition EDULINK II Call for Proposals Launched EUCARINET 2012 Travel Grant Scheme Anniversary Scholarship Submissions Open July 2 – Energy Included
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10-6-2012 || June Workshop in US Virgin Islands focuses on Clean Energy Strategies Residents are invited to attend a free Community Clean Energy Workshop,Bjerget House in Christiansted, St. Croix. The workshop will feature progress reports on the goal of reducing the territory’s dependence on fossil fuel 60 per cent by 2025. Read more 9-6-2012 ||Cuba promotes environment friendly power generation Although the Caribbean island is boosting the use of Renewable Energy sources, 96% of its electricity production is based on fossil fuels. Read more 8-6-2012 || Red light for Green Energy in Latin America and the Caribbean The region lured less than 5% of the $260bn (£169bn) in new investment in clean energy projects and companies worldwide last year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance and the Inter-American Development Bank’s multilateral investment fund (MIF). Read more 6-6-2012 ||IRENA finds significant Renewable Energy job potential in developing countries The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has released a new report titled “Renewable Energy Jobs and Access,” focusing on job creation through renewable energy technologies in rural areas. It finds that if the UN goal of providing sustainable energy for all by 2030 is reached, up to four million jobs will be created in the off-grid electricity sector alone. Read more 6-6-2012 ||Nevis geothermal project engages Hezy Ram in efforts to survive Ram estimated the cost of the project at $70M to $80M and he believes that finding financing would be the easiest part of the project as multilateral banks are already interested and the risk is low. Read more 6-6-2012 ||US Virgin Islands signs agreement for large-scale Solar power project The US Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has signed a solar power purchase and interconnection agreements with three companies to provide energy for the territory. The agreement will provide approximately nine megawatts of Solar Energy per district into WAPA’s electrical grid. Read more 1-6-2012 ||Caribbean’s first Energy Institute opens University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and the National Energy Skills Centre (NESC) launch the English-speaking Caribbean’s first ever Energy Institute. Read more 1-6-2012 ||Solar manufacturing plant planned for St. Kitts Plans to set up a solar panel manufacturing plant in St Kitts are ongoing and the next set of low-income homes will be electrified by solar energy. Read more
Content Administrator, CIPORE Caribbean Energy Information System (CEIS), Scientific Research Council (SRC), Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, Jamaica W.I. 876-927-1779(w) | 876-977-1840(f) | ceis@src-jamaica.org www.ceis-caribenergy.org www.src-jamaica.org CEIS manages the Caribbean Information Platform on Renewable Energy (CIPORE) www.cipore.org
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JUNE 2012 IN REVIEW
BE IN THE KNOW ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE 25-6-2012 ||Sustainable Energy Finance Summer Academy Due to overwhelming demand, the Frankfurt School – UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance (the Centre) offers not just one, but two Sustainable Energy Finance Summer Academies in 2012. The first will take place in Frankfurt, Germany from July 15 to 20, and the second in Nairobi, Kenya from October 21 to 26, with a special regional focus on Africa. Read more
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25-6-2012 ||Energy Efficiency in industry 2012 – Industrial Summer Study After 20 years of successful traditional Summer Studies, ECEEE now introduces a new series of events, focusing on energy efficiency in industry and industrial processes. The first industrial Summer Study will be held in September 2012. Read more 25-6-2012 ||Secure Your Energy Future with JPS 50001 ISO Energy Management Seminars The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) in collaboration with the Bureau of Standards Jamaica and the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ) will be hosting the captioned seminar in Montego Bay on July 12. The purpose of the Seminar is to generate awareness employ sustainable energy efficiency measures. This will not only alleviate the impact of the spiraling costs associated with the use of electricity, energy efficiency and performance and highlight of this event will be the introduction of the ISO. Read more
PROUD MEDIA PARTNER OF: 24-6-2012 || ‘Project climate change’ Outstanding local journalist Petre Williams-Raynor is to launch her first book, Project Climate Save. Williams-Raynor is the environment, career and education editor at Jamaica Observer and focuses on the difficulties that the world faces in dealing with the problem of climate change in an informative and fun way. Read more GEOLAC 2012 San Jose, Costa Rica September 17- 18, 2012
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22-6-2012 ||Government of Saint Lucia To Make Crucial Presentation To World Heritage Site Committee The World Heritage Site Committee (WHC) is expected to consider a recommendation at its 36th meeting scheduled to take place from June 24th to July 6th , 2012 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation to place the Pitons Management Area (PMA) in Saint Lucia on the list of World Heritage Sites Endangered. Read more 21-6-2012 || The world map of CO2 emissions Which countries in the world emit the most carbon dioxide? How fast has China overtaken the US to reach the number one position? And why does Gibraltar have such high emissions per person? This interactive guide made for us by Craig Bloodworth of the Information Lab gives you a way to navigate the latest Energy Information Administration data. Read more
Energy Caribbean Conference 2012 Trinidad & Tobago October 2-3, 2012
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Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum 2012 San Juan, Puerto Rico October 15-17, 2012
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21-6-2012 ||DBJ Champions Energy Efficient Businesses The Development Bank of Jamaica today launched DBJ GreenBiz, an energy efficiency project that gives local small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) technical and financial assistance in energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy. Read more 21-6-2012 ||Global carbon emissions rise is far bigger than previous estimates New analysis by the Guardian shows the world emitted a record 31.8bn tonnes of carbon from energy consumption in 2010. Read more 21-6-2012 ||SPREP, IOC, CCCCC to Cooperate on Climate Change The Commonwealth Secretariat has announced that three regional organizations, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), have agreed to cooperate on steps to deal with the effects of climate change. Read more 20-6-2012 ||CARICOM countries score low in carbon energy study Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries were rated in the lower half of a survey of 26 countries examined for their ability to foster low carbon energy growth. Read more
19-6-2012 ||Rio Pavilion hosts financing Sustainable Development Day On its seventh day, the Rio Conventions Pavilion at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) convened for Financing Sustainable Development Day. The event consisted of two sessions on natural capital solutions, namely: protected areas meeting global environmental challenges; and natural capital in Africa, Asia and Latin America – partnerships, policies and investments. Read more 19-6-2012 ||Multilateral Development Banks commit to the Rio+20 Agenda for Inclusive Green Growth On the sidelines of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) six of the world’s major multilateral development banks (MDBs) released a joint statement, which indicated their commitment to work together to support global transformation in line with the Rio+20 agreements. Read more 19-6-2012 ||Business leaders pledge action to protect environment Business leaders gathered at a Rio+20 Conference yesterday pledged sustainable policies and joined a call for world leaders to usher in “a green industrial revolution” to save the planet. Read more
17-6-2012 ||Green Growth Action Alliance launched to catalyze Private Sector Investment The Green Growth Action Alliance (G2A2) has been launched to address the estimated US$1 trillion annual shortfall in green infrastructure investment and support greater investments in clean energy, transportation, agriculture, and other green growth areas. Read more 16-6-2012 ||Jamaica Public Sector Energy Project to Cost $1.2 Billion Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, said the government is looking to spend some $1.2 billion over the next two years to undertake several energy saving initiatives within public sector entities. Read more 14-6-2012 ||IDB makes $12 million grant for Haiti energy reform The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has announced the approval of a $12 million grant to support Haiti’s reforms to modernize its energy sector and increase the availability and affordability of energy. Read more 14-6-2012 ||Jamaica’s fourth Wetland of International Importance The Caribbean state of Jamiaca has designated its fourth Ramsar site, called Mason River Protected Area, Bird Sanctuary and Ramsar Site. The new site occupies a flattish area with several surface depressions, ponds, and sinkholes. Read more
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Content Administrator, CIPORE Caribbean Energy Information System (CEIS), Scientific Research Council (SRC), Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, Jamaica W.I. 876-927-1779(w) | 876-977-1840(f) | ceis@src-jamaica.org www.ceis-caribenergy.org www.src-jamaica.org
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13-6-2012 ||SRC develops enviro-friendly waste-treatment systems The Scientific Research Council (SRC) has developed environmentally friendly waste-treatment systems, using anaerobic technology. The primary products include Biogas-Anaerobic Technology, Biodigester Septic Tanks (BST) and Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Reactor. Read more 12-6-2012 ||Energy Efficiency and the Proposed Building Code for Jamaica This paper is intended as an introduction to the new building code proposed for use in Jamaica and the practical applications of sustainable design strategies towards more energy efficient design and construction. Read more 8-6-2012 ||JPS Meter Testing Lab and Calibration Centre now Internationally Accredited The JPS Meter Testing Lab and Calibration Centre has now received the internationally recognized ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation from the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC). The award ceremony took place on Friday May 11, making the JPS Meter Testing Lab, only the third organization in Jamaica to receive an award from JANAAC. Read more 1-6-2012 ||Greening the economy could yield up to 60 million jobs worldwide — ILO The transformation to a greener economy could generate 15 to 60 million additional jobs globally over the next two decades and lift tens of millions of workers out of poverty, according to a new report led by the Green Jobs Initiative. The study, “Working towards sustainable development: Opportunities for decent work and social inclusion in a green economy,” says that these gains will depend on whether the right set of policies are put in place. Read more