JAMAICA: SUCCESSFUL CARIBBEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM

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