Energy efficiency and conservation: A way forward for Jamaica

Jamaica, like many developing states, is heavily dependent on oil imports, and is thus vulnerable to fluctuations on the world energy market. Implementing energy efficient methods and conservation in the public and private sectors are not only a way of reducing expenditure on the local energy bill, but, also aids in reducing CO2 emissions which also acts as a catalyst for global climate change. Conservation if properly managed may compensate for rise in energy costs, and can eliminate the need for additional power plants, and energy imports. The paper explores energy conservation strategies that can be employed in developing states such as Jamaica. This paper will further investigate possible ways energy savings can be realized from innovative interventions as experimented by the University of the West Indies. This will complement attempts to reduce Jamaica´s dependency on oil imports by applying alternative and renewable energy technologies and fuels to provide the sustainability needed for Jamaica to attain developed status.