- Developed in parallel with the Vision 2030 Jamaica document, the overarching goal of the National Energy Policy is to develop: 'a modern, efficient, diversified and environmentally sustainable energy sector providing affordable and accessible energy supplies with long-term energy security and supported by informed public behaviour on energy issues and an appropriate policy, regulatory and institutional framework'.
The Strategic Framework underpinning the policy addresses both the supply and demand energy issues Jamaica faces. It prioritises seven key areas:Security of energy supply through diversification of fuels as well as development of renewable energy sources - Modernising the country's energy infrastructure
- Development of renewable energy sources
- Conservation and efficiency in energy use
- Development of a comprehensive governance/regulatory framework for the energy sector
- Enabling government ministries and agencies to be models/best practice for the rest of society in terms of energy management
- Eco-efficiency in industries
Finding environmentally sustainable energy solutions is central to the document. It seeks to facilitate cultural, institutional and technological change in a way that supports 'aggressive' advances in energy efficiency and conservation, minimises greenhouse emissions and ulti-mately provides green growth. These energy efficiency and conservation goals are seen as 'no regrets' mitigation actions that can have positive impacts on society and the economy, principally by reducing costs and dependency on fossil fuel imports.
Among stated goals of the policy is that Jamaica realises its energy resource potential through the development of renewable energy sources and enhances its international competitiveness and energy security while reducing its carbon footprint.
Five sub-policies exist to support the National Energy Policy, namely:
- A Carbon Emissions Trading Policy developed to address Jamaica's participation in the Clean Development Mechanism
- National Renewable Energy Policy 2010-2030
- National Energy from Waste Policy 2010-2030
- Energy Conservation and Efficiency Policy
- Biofuels Policy
Overall the policy propose to reduce the percentage of petroleum in the country's energy supply mix from the current 95% (does not state to what level) and increase the percentage of renewables in the energy mix with proposed targets of 11% by 2012, 12.5% by 2015 and 20% by 2030.
The Policy document itself contains a section 'Proposed Energy Sector Indicators and Targets' on electricity supply, efficiency targets etc. However, the section does not provide the actual indicators and targets.
