Jamaica considers renewable energy

Jamaica's government, interested in renewable energy, is considering amending legislation to support it. The government is considering amendments to the Petroleum Corp. of Jamaica Act with an eye towards ending the PCJ monopoly on renewable energy initiatives in the country. The government is urging Parliament to support a resolution from Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell that was tabled in the House of Representatives Tuesday. In discussing the resolution, "the Petroleum Corp. of Jamaica extension of functions amendment order 2012," Paulwell told journalists under current legislation the PCJ is the only entity authorized to institute renewable energy projects but that if the amendment passes, market entrants will no longer be required to get PCJ support to set up renewable energy projects and to sell electricity to the national grid. Paulwell added the government is seeking to diversify Jamaica's energy sources because of increasing oil costs, the Daily Gleaner newspaper reported Thursday.