Jamaica’s Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell revealed in late Feb. 2014, the Jamaican government will be amending regulations to lift tariff for solar equipment and LED lamps, according to an article by Jamaican media The Gleaner.
The Jamaican government announced plans in 2013 to cancel energy efficient equipment tariffs. The government also removed general consumer taxes (GCT) imposed on other energy efficient products including wind turbines, solar cells, and solar water pumps. This emphasized the government’s determination to develop energy efficient industry and renewable energy.
The Jamaican government has kicked off an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program to reduce electricity prices to US$0.15 and US$0.18, down from the current US$0.38 to US$0.42. The program is jointly funded by the Government of Jamaica and Inter-American Development bank amounted to US$ 20 million.
