Sustainable Energy & Development News November 2012

Sustainable Energy & Development News

VOL.1 NOVEMBER 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...

Antigua & Barbuda Seeking Funding to Transition to Renewable Energy Antigua and Barbuda could face losses of up to 18 per cent of gross domestic product – GDP – because of climate change.And it’s being urged to enforce legislation, improve environmental data, and strengthen the country’s environmental agencies. Read more

UWI Mona in Jamaica Goes Green Efforts to effect a greener, more environmentally-friendly space are underway at The UWI, Mona campus. Commencing four years ago, a number of plans have been put in place to revolutionise the 652-acre campus in response to the needs of the environment. These include the vertical, instead of horizontal, development of new buildings, to allow for the preservation of more green areas. Read more

Apricus Develops Partnership in the Bahamas A global Renewable Energy company has arrived in The Bahamas to cement a local partnership for the wide distribution of green products.

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Introducing

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NOVEMBER 2012 IN REVIEW BE IN THE KNOW ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

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CIPORE EVENTS, See All Events Envirotech & Clean Energy Investor Summit 2012 November 7-8, 2012 2nd Biennial Science and Technology Conference November 6-8, 2012 MIA GREEN 2013 January 31- February 1, 2013 International Symposium on Energy 2013 Febrary 7-8, 2013 Caribbean Energy Policy & Procurement Planning (CEPPP) Barbados Conference 2013 February 25- 26, 2013

29-11-2012 ||Trinidad and IDB Launching Sustainable Energy Programme The framework will have four main components: preparing the programme by developing a regulatory framework to promote green energy and carbon reduction; provision of technical assistance to the government in the area of Energy Efficiency, exploration of alternatives for Renewable Energy funding, with a special focus on Tobago and specific studies to point the way forward for future investment in green energy in the country. Read more 28-11-2012 ||Barbados must embrace alternative energy to maintain competitive edge Barbados’ high oil importation bill leaves the island with no option but to seek alternative forms of energy to maintain its competitive edge in the Caribbean. Read more 28-11-2012 ||Investors wanting to build out renewable energy capacity in Jamaica INVESTORS wanting to build out Renewable Energy capacity in the latest round of investments in Jamaica will have to do so by early 2015.

Up to 115 megawatts (MW) are up for grabs. Read more 28-11-2012 ||Going Solar — Green Energy Savings Ltd shows how to Jamaicans GREEN Energy Savings Limited (GESL) is optimistic that although it has only been up and running for a few months, its Renewable Energy solutions have already made it a beacon for financially stressed Jamaicans who are desperate to reduce high electricity costs. Read more

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27-11-2012 ||Greenheart Signs Agreements to Build New Bioenergy Plant in Suriname Greenheart Group Limited (“Greenheart”) is pleased to announce the signing of agreements with various suppliers and contractors to build a bioenergy plant (the “Bioenergy Plant”). The Bioenergy Plant will power Greenheart’s world-class tropical hardwood processing facility in West Suriname by converting its own wood waste into green energy. Read more 27-11-2012 ||Government of Saint Lucia Commended for Promoting Green Economy Against the backdrop of the second annual CARICOM Energy Awareness Week, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Senator the Honourable James Fletcher is applauding the strides made by government to promote a green economy. Read more 27-11-2012 ||Bioethanol deal finalised as Guyana turns to renewable energy The Government and UK-based Whitefox technologies have finalized a deal which aims to divert from imported oil dependence. Whitefox will install the units for a Bioethanol demonstration plant at the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s Albion Sugar Factory, with a turnkey unit set for delivery in early 2013. Guyana is totally reliant on imported oil. Read more

23-11-2012 ||BL&P Pleased With Increased Use Of Renewable Energy Rider Managing Director of The Barbados Light & Power Company (BL&P), Mark King has expressed satisfaction over a recent upsurge in the use of the Renewable Energy Rider which was proposed by BL&P in an application to the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) and introduced two years ago.Read more

REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS, EXPRESSIONS OF INTERESTS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

19-11-2012 ||Nevis makes strides in sustainable energy development In a televised address in observation of CARICOM Energy Week 2012, Renewable Energy minister in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Carlisle Powell said Nevis had made marked strides in the area of sustainable energy development. Read more

Assessment of the Potential for Distributed Generation Using Renewable. Energy & EE in Belize: Consulting Services Developing and Supporting a Sustainable Energy and Energy Conservation Program || Deadline: November 7, 2012

18-11-2012 ||GEA exploring ways to develop renewable energy – launches new e-book The Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project will help in the creation of more energy resources as output of the project would be more than what is currently needed, whilst at the same time may not be sufficient enough for the continuous demand and growing population to come. Read more

The ACP-EU Cooperation Programme in Science and Technology II (S&T II) Call for Proposals launched

15-11-2012 ||CARICOM collaborating to develop renewable energy sector Countries of the Caribbean region are this Energy Week 2012 collaborating on lessons learned and the way forward in the Renewable Energy sector. Read more 14-11-2012 ||ADDRESS OF HON.V. NAZIM BURKE, MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ENERGY, GRENADA AT THE NATIONAL ENERGY SYMPOSIUM Read more 13-11-2012 ||Nevis has made marked strides in sustainable energy development, says Energy Minister The Minister responsible for Energy also noted that the Administration also continued to work with strategic partners including the Organization of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the OECS Secretariat and the Caricom with the development of programmes and projects in the education of the people of Nevis on Sustainable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Read more 13-11-2012 || Anguilla Signs on to Bill Clinton’s Global Initiative Anguilla joined a number of regional and international countries in signing on to the Clinton Global Initiative. One of the most recent visits to the island by representatives of the Clinton Foundation, concerned with that initiative, was three weeks ago when the Castalla Group presented its final report to Government on Anguilla’s Renewable Energy Integration Project. Read more 11-11-2012 ||Call for renewable energy financing Speaking at Accountants’ Week last week, Guilden Gilbert, vice president ofAlternative Power Sources (Bahamas) Ltd, said local banks and lending institutions should support renewable energy projects and follow a model similar to the Canadian branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, which helps finance solar panel products in Canada. Read more

8-11-2012 ||NationGrowth has loans for alternative energy NationGrowth Micro-Finance Limited is offering Jamaicans special financing arrangements for the purchase of Alternative Energy systems and equipment. This will dramatically reduce the cost of electricity bills for consumers within the medium term, with monthly loan repayments being lessened relative to client’s average current electricity bill.

The loan period extends for a maximum of five years and effectively generates free electricity for many years with the installation of a full system. Read more 7-11-2012 ||Cuban wind farms survive Hurricane Sandy The Cuban government announced last week at a meeting with the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) in Havana that none of the two wind farms has shown any major damage caused by the hurricane and that they still provide electricity for the local grid. Read more 6-11-2012 ||Belize has abundant renewable energy potential The WorldWatch Institute recently published a brief assessment of theopportunities for Renewable Energy development in Belize. Here’s an excerpt: With a population of only 350,000 and a national economy of US$1.5 billion in 2011, Belize does not consume large amounts of energy. Peak electricity demand in 2010 was 80.6 megawatts (MW), well below the U.S. state of Vermont’s peak energy demand of 953 MW in 2011. Belize’s low energy consumption makes it a suitable location for further development of clean, indigenous energy sources. Read more 2-11-2012 ||St. Vincent and the Grenadines planning geothermal exploration St. Vincent and the Grenadines has joined the list of Caribbean countriesbeginning to explore their Geothermal Energy potential. Read more 2-11-2012 ||Guyana reduces taxes and levies on energy-saving devices and renewable energy equipment The government of Guyana is seeking to encourage energy sustainability and efficiency by removing duties from energy efficiency devices and Renewable Energy equipment. Guyana’s National Assembly has unanimously approved an amendment to remove VAT and duties from green energy devices. 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

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NOVEMBER 2012 IN REVIEW

BE IN THE KNOW ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE 29-11-2012 || Montserrat’s energy efficiency being assessed The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is presently conducting an audit of the Energy Efficiency of all member states.

Vincent David, Senior Energy Economist from Econoler of Canada visited Montserrat to review the island’s Energy Efficiency. Read more 27-11-2012 ||Volcanic Activity Report 16 to 23 November 2012 Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano is low. The seismic network recorded five rockfalls this week. Sulphur dioxide measurements gave an average of 275 tonnes/day with a maximum of 399 and a minimum of 210 tonnes/day. Read more SCAN ME AND LOG ON!

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27-11-2012 ||Guyana Seeks to Shield Gold Miners from Mercury Ban As regional delegates meet to discuss a legally binding ban on the use of mercury this week, Guyanese officials are arguing that an exception should be made for the South American country’s lucrative gold mining sector until an acceptable alternative is found. Read more 24-11-2012 || Cuba to Host Int´l Conference on Impact of Hurricane Sandy The 6th International Conference on the Comprehensive Management of Coastal Areas, Caricostas, to be held here in May, 2013, will discuss the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the coasts, which are the most vulnerable environments to the effects of Climate Change. Read more

BE IN THE KNOW ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE TOOL KITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS Steps to Developing an Energy Management Programme for your Company – Toolkit Environmental Management – Toolkit Energy Efficiency Toolkit For Manufacturers – Eight Proven Ways To Reduce Your Costs

TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS YOU CAN USE! Energy Climate Partnership of the Americas Energy Efficiency GuidelinesSt. Lucia ( 2010) PSOJ Draft Baseline Study Report - Jamaica 4 March 2011 PSOJ Draft Baseline Study Report - TT May 13 Report on Project Launch Jamaica and Trinidad St. George’s Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability

23-11-2012 ||CARICOM Team Visiting Antigua, Dominica to Assess Environment Data A team of representatives from the CARICOM Secretariat are visiting several Member States to examine their current position regarding statistics on the environment. Read more 22-11-2012 ||VINLEC Hosts Energy Awareness Exhibition St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) is appealing to consumers of electricity to practise conservation in order to decrease their energy bill. The appeal was made during the opening ceremony of an Energy Use Awareness Exhibition, at the building which once housed Voyager, on Halifax Street.. Read more 22-11-2012 ||Dominican Republic to improve access to drinking water for 329,000 people The Dominican Republic will improve water services for 329,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area of Santiago de los Caballeros with a $25 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The project is expected to enable water service for at least 12 continuous hours per day for 211,000 people. Read more 21-11-2012 || LED Lighting a Major Factor in Combatting Climate Change ELECTRONICS giant Philips hailed the governments and businesses at COP18, the UN Climate Change Conference in Doha to adopt Energy Efficient lighting to lower costs, improve competitiveness and reduce emissions. Read more 21-11-2012 ||World Ocean Assessment workshop for the Caribbean On November 13-15, a World Ocean Assessment Workshop was held for the Wider Caribbean in Miami, Florida.The Workshop for the Wider Caribbean is part of the larger Regular Process, an effort to regularly provide accurate information on the state of the marine environment to decision makers. Read more 20-11-2012 ||Jamaica on “Unsustainable” Energy Path Jamaica is on an “unsustainable path” when it comes to energy costs, and the country must cut expenditures on oil imports and energy usage, according to State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Julian Robinson. Read more 20-11-2012 ||Economic impact assessment of recreational fishing in the Caribbean Recreational fisheries are prevalent in most Caribbean islands, though to date, the socio-economic characteristics of this sector are poorly studied. World Fishing and Aquaculture comments on a Manual which will assess the economic impacts of recreational fisheries in the Wider Caribbean Region. Read more

19-11-2012 ||St. Kitts and Nevis challenged to optimise energy efficiency Representative for the Organization of American States for St. Kitts and Nevis Mr. Starret Greene, called on the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis to take necessary steps that would optimise Energy Efficiency in both residential and commercial buildings. Read more 18-11-2012 ||Bahamas Environment Minister demonstrates CFL Bulb Eater The Bahamas – The Ministry of the Environment and Housing demonstrated the final stage of the disposal process of mercurycontained Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) In Rawson Square November 15. Read more 16-11-2012 ||Jamaica’s ESCO Project THE Jamaican Minister of Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier, said improving the island state’s Energy Efficiency is vital to achieving savings in energy costs of around $10.4 million monthly.

Kellier made the statement this week during the launch of the ‘Developing an Energy Services Company (ESCO) in Jamaica’ projec Read more 15-11-2012 ||New project to improve Caribbean cocoa production Scientists from the University of Greenwich, in cooperation with the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the Jamaica Cocoa Board will be carrying out research on ways to increase cocoa production in the Caribbean by improving pollination rates. Read more 15-11-2012 ||Haiti threatened by food insecurity as a result of natural disasters The United Nations has warned that natural disasters continue to exacerbate food insecurity in Haiti: The United Nations food relief agency today warned that more than 1.5 million Haitians could remain at risk of food insecurity well into 2013 if they do not receive adequate assistance to recover from a series of natural disasters. Read more 14-11-2012 ||Caribbean small-scale fisheries too big to ignore Last week the 65th Gulf Caribbean Fisheries Institute took place in Santa Marta, Colombia. Santa Marta is the capital city of the Colombian department of Magdalena in the Caribbean region. The conference was a testimony to the regions commitment to the stewardship of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea and the marine resources therein.

Read more 13-11-2012 ||Guyana’s ‘s private sector measuring energy efficiency The electricity efficiency of several Guyanese companies is being measured as part of a project being funded by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), the private sector organisation said Tuesday. Read more

6-11-2012 ||Winner of energy efficiency household survey raffle drawn The Eastern Caribbean Energy Labeling Project (ECELP) Thursday drew the winner of its raffle organised in connection with the household survey on Energy-Efficient appliances carried out in June/July 2012.

Participants of the survey were given the chance to enter the raffle, which was run today at Our Planet, Castries. 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

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