Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINGSTON892
2009-10-23 19:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:  

JAMAICA: SUCCESSFUL CARIBBEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM

Tags:  ECON ENRG SENV EMIN SOCI ETRD TRSY DOE OPIC OAS IBRD 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0783
OO RUEHGR
DE RUEHKG #0892 2961907
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231906Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0185
INFO EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE 0005
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 0043
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS KINGSTON 000892 

SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (JMACK-WILSON) (VDEPIRRO) (WSMITH)
WHA/EPSC (ADOWDY)(FCORNEILLE)
EEB/ESC/IEC/EPC (MMCMANUS)
INR/RES (RWARNER)
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS
TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW
USTDA FOR NATHAN YOUNG AND PATRICIA ARRIAGADA
OPIC FOR ALISON GERMAK AND LYNN TABERNACKIE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ENRG SENV EMIN SOCI ETRD TRSY DOE OPIC OAS IBRD
JM, BR, XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: SUCCESSFUL CARIBBEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM

REF: KINGSTON 626; KINGSTON 427; KINGSTON 97

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000892

SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (JMACK-WILSON) (VDEPIRRO) (WSMITH)
WHA/EPSC (ADOWDY)(FCORNEILLE)
EEB/ESC/IEC/EPC (MMCMANUS)
INR/RES (RWARNER)
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS
TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW
USTDA FOR NATHAN YOUNG AND PATRICIA ARRIAGADA
OPIC FOR ALISON GERMAK AND LYNN TABERNACKIE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ENRG SENV EMIN SOCI ETRD TRSY DOE OPIC OAS IBRD
JM, BR, XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: SUCCESSFUL CARIBBEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM

REF: KINGSTON 626; KINGSTON 427; KINGSTON 97


1. (U) SUMMARY: Jamaica hosted a successful Caribbean Renewable
Energy Forum (CREF) which included a U.S. Government (USG)
delegation, consisting of officials from the Departments of State
and Energy and the Overseas Private Investment Cooperation (OPIC).
The forum, held in Montego Bay from October 15-16, highlighted
opportunities for investment in the renewable energy sector and new
technologies related to energy efficiency. The Caribbean faces
unique energy challenges as the most oil-import dependent region in
the world. During the event, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ)
expressed appreciation for the U.S.-Brazilian Biofuels partnership
and discussed further progress in the development of two
waste-to-energy sites on the island. End Summary.



ECPA and Bio-Fuels Support

--------------




2. (U) The USG delegation highlighted President Obama's Energy and
Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) and the desire to
promote cooperation on renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy
poverty, cleaner fossil fuels, and infrastructure. In addition
the forum provided an opportunity for the USG, along with partners
from the Brazilian Embassy and representatives from the
Organization of American States (OAS),to publicize the U.S.-Brazil
Biofuels Cooperation in Jamaica. Mark Lambrides, Director of the
OAS Energy and Climate Division, which implements projects under
the U.S.-Brazil Biofuels Cooperation, announced a request for
proposals (RFP) for Technical Assistance for Biofuels Development
and Policy Support in Jamaica.




3. (U) The biofuels project will provide USD 250,000 in funds for
technical assistance to the GOJ to support the development and
implementation of its biofuels program. Alexandre Gueiros,
Brazilian Ambassador to Jamaica said that with his country's vast
experience in bio-fuel production and Jamaica's enthusiasm, he is
happy to include Jamaica into the synergy already created with the
U.S. The GOJ initiated an E-10 ethanol fuel project at service
stations in October 2008 and hopes to complete its island-wide
rollout of E10 fuel in early November.



Progress on Waste-to-Energy

--------------




4. (U) Minister of Energy James Robertson used the forum to
announce that two waste-to-energy plants are to be constructed in
Jamaica. The project arose out of technical assistance from the
U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to
formulate a request for proposals for waste-to-energy sites. Four
bids were received in response to the RFP, and a U.S.-European
joint venture was selected as the preferred bidder. Minister
Robertson announced that the Cambridge Project Development Company
will finance, develop and own/operate two waste-to-energy plants in
Jamaica. The project will be in partnership with the Petroleum
Corporation of Jamaica. The plants are expected to produce 65
megawatts (MW) of electricity. He noted that this would result in
saving or avoiding the importation of over 700,000 barrels of oil
per year at a cost of nearly USD 60 million.
Parnell