PetroCaribe, Wigton to Invest in Green Initiative at Jamaica’s Munro College

By: - April 30th, 2012

Above: PetroCaribe and Wigton are partnering on a green energy pilot project

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The PetroCaribe Development Fund and energy firm Wigton Windfarm will invest in a project to rehabilitate the wind turbine at Jamaica’s Munro College.

The initiative, which was announced at Wigton’s corporate headquarters, will also involve technical assistance and training for fourth and fifth form students in green energy practice.

“Renewable energy will continue to be one of the most important issues for Jamaica going forward, and this investment is not only about rehabilitating the wind turbine, it’s also about making a meaningful connection with these students,” said Sharon Weber, manager of the PetroCaribe Development Fund.

The training component of the programme will take place at the Wigton Resource Centre in Manchester and Munro College, comprised of lectures, presentations, technology demonstrations and hands-on exercises.

“Over the years, Wigton has carried out and/or facilitated numerous training programmes, seminars and workshops aimed at building capacity in the renewable energy sector,” said Earl Barrett, general manager of Wigton. “This pilot project is no different and we hope that this exercise will encourage the students to pursue careers in the field of renewable energy.”

The 225-kilowatt generator at Munro College was commissioned in 1996, the first grid-connected wind energy source in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Jamaica

Interview with Branville McCartney of the Bahamas’ Democratic National Alliance

Above: Branville McCartney (centre) By Alexander Britell In early 2011, Branville McCartney, a Bahamian Member of Parliament for the Bamboo Town constituency representing the ruling Free National Movement, broke off from the party to found a new one: the Democratic National Alliance. The Bahamas, like most of the Caribbean, has had a staunch two party […]

Jamaica

Nevis, Japan Sign Agreement on Grant for Charlestown Fisheries Complex

Above: Japanese Ambassador-designate Yoshimasa Tekuza and Nevis Premier Joseph Parry By the Caribbean Journal staff The government of Japan and the Nevis Island Administration have signed an agreement for an $11 million grant to support the planned Charlestown Community Fisheries Complex at Gallows Bay. “What we are looking at is a cog in a whole […]

Jamaica

Jamaican Prime Minister Vows to Cut Red Tape for Foreign Investors

Above: Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller met this weekend with more than 200 members of the business community in Philadelphia at a ceremony given in her honour. Simpson Miller said she was determined to attract more overseas investment to Jamaica, telling the private […]

Jamaica's Murder Rate Down 30 Percent Since Beginning of 2012: Report

 Above: Jamaican National Security Minister Peter Bunting (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica’s murder rate has fallen from a rate of 3.1 per day to two per day, according to National Security Minister Peter Bunting. That represents a 30 percent reduction since the beginning of the year, Bunting said this week. “Hopefully, we […]

Belize and Guatemala Agree on 2013 Date for Territorial Referenda

 Above: Belize’s Wilfred Elrington and Guatemala’s Harold Caballeros (OAS Photo/Patricia Leiva) By the Caribbean Journal staff Belize and Guatemala’s Foreign Ministers have agreed on a date for simultaneous referenda in the two countries on the issue of Guatemala’s territorial claim to the International Court of Justice. The two countries will each hold a referendum on […]

Jamaica's Government Says 3,000 Jobs Created Under JEEP Programme

 Above: Jamaican National Security Minister Peter Bunting (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica’s murder rate has fallen from a rate of 3.1 per day to two per day, according to National Security Minister Peter Bunting. That represents a 30 percent reduction since the beginning of the year, Bunting said this week. “Hopefully, we […]

US Virgin Islands Governor Submits Testimony on HOVENSA Closure

Above: US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh (Photo: OG) By the Caribbean Journal staff US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh has submitted testimony to a congressional committee on the impact of the closure of the HOVENSA refinery on the northeastern United States. The testimony was part of an ongoing effort by de Jongh’s […]