CABINET has approved a contract for air conditioning systems for four Government buildings, as the administration intensifies measures to improve energy efficiency in the public sector.

This involves the design, supply and retrofitting of efficient air conditioning solutions for the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Kingston Public Hospital, the Donald Sangster Building at the Sangster International Airport, and the Montego Bay Revenue Service Centre.

Minister with responsibility for information, Senator Sandrea Falconer, who made the announcement at Wednesday’s Jamaica House press briefing, said that the systems are expected to result in a 49 per cent reduction in energy consumption for the entities.

“Jamaica imports approximately 90 per cent of its energy needs, and energy efficiency and conservation are necessary tools in the drive to significantly increase value obtained from each unit of energy consumed,” Minister Falconer said.

The contract, which has been awarded to Geddes Refrigeration Limited, is in the amounts of US$1.527 million, and $112.981 million, respectively.

Minister Falconer said the contract will be funded from a loan agreement for an energy efficiency and conservation programme, which the Government entered into with the Inter-American Development Bank

in 2011.