Use of Alternative Energies in Jamaica Nearly Doubles: Report

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The portion of energy Jamaica derives from renewable energy almost doubled in the last three years, from 5 percent to nine percent in 2010.

That has been led by projects like the Wigton wind farm and the growing movement of solar energy use in the country.

Those are a few of the findings from the “State of the Environment Report 2010,” a joint report by the United Nations Development Programme and the National Environment and Planning Agency.

According to the report, Jamaica has shown an increased focus on improving environmental management in the country over the last three years, and the overall status of the country’s ecosystems and natural resources has largely remained constant.

The report takes a macro look at environmental approaches in the country, from the number of prosecutions under the Wildlife Protection Act, which have increased each year, to the quality of air, coastal and riverine water, which has been fairly constant in the three-year period.

Environment Minister Dr Horace Chang said that while Jamaica had made progress on the environment, many challenges remain.