Evaluation of the Government of Jamaica/USAID energy sector assistance project

Special evaluation covers the period 9/81-4/83 and is based on document review and interviews with project personnel. Although much progress has been made since the initial 8-month delay, several problems exist which could hinder project success, Neither the Ministry of Mining and Energy's (MME) Energy Division (ED) nor its Project Implementation Unit (PIU) are fully staffed due to low wage scales (63% below that of the private sector) and lack of career opportunities - factors leading to a high staff turnover, confused lines of authority, and low morale. Other problems include, iner alia, the need to enhance ED's organizational status (by making it a department), define its policy function, improve its training program, and hire middle managers. Formation of energy policy is being hampered by the lack of analytical expertise in ED's Energy Planning Branch, the high level of friction between the ED and other energy-related GOJ entities, ED's lack of status, and failure to prioritize the project's EC and AE components. Also, of the three long-term advisors, the energy generalist does not appear qualified and the AE advisor is not yet in place. Despite these and other problems, EC efforts have progressed well, although energy audits should include financial analysis in order to ensure the economic viability of potential EC investments. Also, despite problems caused by the continuing tax on solar water heating, the AE program has made good progress in creating a demonstration center and a solar energy institute, assessing indigenous energy resources, installing public solar water facilities, developing standards, and initiating training and a forestry program.