Project assistance completion report for the energy sector assistance project

With the two exceptions noted below, project objectives were achieved. Highlights of the MMET Energy Division institution- building component included: (1) long-term training (including 6 M.S.'s) of 35 persons and short-term training of 225; (2) several publications, including manuals on energy auditing and solar heating, assessments of wind and other renewable energy resources, a review of fleet fuel conservation, and preliminary design of solar heating systems for Jamaica; and (3) establishment of an Energy Information Center and expansion of a public education campaign. On the negative side, plans to upgrade positions in MMET's Energy Division in order to recruit and retain a competent professional staff went awry, as more than 20 professionals resigned during the project, and the total number of professionals on the staff dropped from 23 to 9. This was the result of MMET's failure to obtain formal authorization; this problem is not unique among Jamaica's public agencies, however. The alternative energy component assisted in the creation of 7 private solar hot water companies and 32 solar hot water installations; establishment (not yet completed) of a solar standards and testing facility at the Bureau of Standards; improvement of the meteorological data base; and establishment of an Energy R&D Center at the College of Arts Science and Technology, of an alternative energy demonstration center at Knockalva, and of two pilot projects (fuelwood and sugarcane). The energy conservation program significantly proved the technological energy infrastructure in Jamaica by supporting private energy auditors and retrofitting contractors, organizing an Energy Coordinator's Association, publishing an energy conservation manual for the construction industry, completing 66 energy audits, retrofitting 53 enterprises, and conducting 8 post-audits which verified energy savings within 95% of the audit estimates. The project also established an Energy Credit Fund to finance private sector retrofits and alternative energy investments. Disbursements from the Fund were low, however, due to high market interest rates, a time-consuming application process, and a weak overall national economy.