Information on the Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy

The Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy (CERE) is a division within the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), which was established in November 2006 to ensure that Jamaica will regularly implement new ideas and methods in renewable energy, in recognition of our excellent and abundant supply of natural resources. CERE comprises two units, namely: the Renewable fuels Unit, and the Renewable Electricity Unit. The objective of the Centre is to diversify Jamaica's energy base by encouraging a selection of indigenous energy options. 

The Mission of CERE is to enhance the contribution of renewables to our energy mix by: 

• Bringing focus to the development and diversification of renewable energy sources and technologies; 

• Researching, educating, demonstrating new technologies and methods and collaborating with various energy stakeholders, local and foreign investors and environmental stewards; and 

• Meeting the energy policy goal of 15% renewables in the energy supply mix of by 2020. 

In order to achieve this goal, several projects will need to be agreed and approved for funding as early as possible. The Centre will act as a one-stop agency of central coordination to aggressively seek and attract the best technologies and methods to be employed in Jamaica, and the financial and fiscal incentives to increase the levels of investment in renewable energy. 

An important characteristic of renewable energy technology is that installation involves high investment cost because the fuel equivalent for the life cycle of the system is essentially purchased at one time. The result is that capacity cost or the fixed sunk costs are high in comparison to traditional electricity generation system, whilst the marginal cost is negligible as against the high marginal costs of traditional electricity systems. Marginal costs are directly impacted by the volatility in imported fuel costs. Access to low cost capital, in particular foreign investment capital will be essential for Renewable Energy Projects to take off. 

The main renewable energy technologies that are of interest to Jamaica, and that have recently engaged the interest of the multilateral and bilateral agencies are solar and photovoltaic, wind power, mini-hydro and biomass, including bagasse.

CERE plans to partner with tertiary institutions, and collaborate with those government and private sector agencies who are able to strike the proper balance between environmental protection, economic growth and the demonstration of renewable energy sources. The action plans for CERE are broad and require the sustained efforts of several of Jamaica's citizens to ensure that goals and objectives are met in a timely manner. Some of the agencies which have initiated project discussions with CERE are as follows: 

• Scientific Research Council 

• University of the West Indies 

• University of Technology 

• National Solid Waste Management Authority