Energy bill impacting economy - industry players
Published:Wednesday | April 20, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer
Some key stakeholders in the energy sector have suggested that the country's economy cannot be transformed with the existing high cost of electricity.
Christopher Levy, chief executive officer of the Jamaica Broilers Group, says high energy cost is the "biggest" problem the country faces at this time.
"This country faces no bigger problem, and every day that we waste not taking the right decisions is costing us, and costing us, and costing us ... ," Levy told a Gleaner Editors' Forum yesterday.
Zia Mian, director general of the Office of Utilities Regulation, supported Levy's position.
"You need to improve the diversification, you need to replace old plants, you need to improve the efficiency and conservation, and you need to improve the demand- and supply-side management. A combination of all these things are necessary," Mian argued.
Despite Government's push to pursue liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative energy source, some stakeholders presented arguments in support of coal and nuclear technologies.
reducing costs
Making the case for coal, Levy argued that it would substantially reduce electricity costs.
In addition, the Jamaica Broilers CEO said coal technology can be implemented "very quickly", and shot down the question of renewable energy sources as "an emotional issue".
"Unless you have a specific unique business opportunity, it makes no business sense. Our country is too small to subsidise it to any great measure. You just don't have that mass of people to spread it," he asserted.
Levy said the country must now make decisions to utilise the smartest and most efficient technology available, focusing on the advantages available in Jamaica and the region.
"LNG out of Trinidad (and Tobago) is an advantage. Coal from Colombia is an advantage. Use those," Levy insisted.
But Mian quickly took issue with Levy's suggestion, charging that "if anybody in this world thinks there is clean coal, that is a pipe dream".