Julian Robinson heads to summit in Malta

Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Julian Robinson is set to leave the island today, to take part in a renewable energy Summit in the Republic of Malta.

He will be Jamaica’s representative at the summit, which will be held from September 6 to 7.

The two-day meeting, dubbed the Renewables and Islands Global Summit, is being hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

One of the objectives of the Summit is to encourage small developing states, such as Jamaica, to increase their use of renewable energy sources in the overall mix of energy consumption.

This is particularly significant for Jamaica as about 90 per cent of the island’s energy is derived from the importation of heavy fuel oils.

Robinson has pointed out that in 2011 over $191 billion was spent importing oil for the country’s energy needs.

The Government is aiming for 30 per cent of Jamaica’s energy mix to be driven by renewable energy by 2030.

editorial@gleanerjm.com