Efforts to standardize energy efficiency in the Caribbean will come to an important juncture next week. A group comprised of nine CARICOM member states will gather in Jamaica for the first meeting of the “regional project team (RPT)” with a mandate to develop regional energy efficiency building codes.
The launch and the first face-to-face working meeting with the contracted consultant will be held 30-31 March, at the Jamaica Bureau of Standards. Nine Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago – are represented on the RPT, which consists of 19 members.
The RPT is also tasked with developing associated application documents and minimum energy performance standards for buildings. To do so, the RPT will review the minimum energy performance standards for buildings as proposed by consultant, Solar Dynamics, in their final report of the consultancy on the development of minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) for public and commercial buildings in CARICOM member states.
The team will also review the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) in an effort to adapt it, where necessary, and present for acceptance and adoption by member states as a regional energy efficiency building code.
This development comes against the background of steps CARICOM has been taking to implement energy efficiency measures and renewable energy resources into their energy mix. The much-needed economic transformation, energy independence and security and the reduction of environmental effects from the combustion of fossil fuels, are expected to flow from the implementation of these measures.
Improving the energy efficiency potential across sectors and economies is crucial for countries to deliver not only on climate objectives but to also improve their energy security, economic development and citizens’ health. Despite the benefits from energy efficiency, the current “low” oil prices pose a risk for the serious investment and application of more energy efficient mechanisms.
