Businesses and residents of the Sunshine City, Portmore, are being encouraged to not just revel in its namesake but actively harness the power of the sun and transition towards solar electricity.

The call came during the grand opening of Fontana Limited’s newest store in Portmore, St Catherine, over the weekend, at which Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central, Alando Terrelonge, emphasised the need for the community to embrace technology, entrepreneurship, and solar power.

“Embracing solar energy becomes a crucial cost-saving measure, especially amidst the ongoing global economic and political turmoil,” he warned while delivering the keynote address.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Russia and Ukraine, which affected fuel costs, and the rising war and tensions in the Middle East, it is expected that gas prices may continue to rise. As such, Terrelonge is advising more Jamaicans to embrace solar energy as a cost-saving measure for Jamaica’s energy future.

The forward-thinking ethos of Fontana’s new Portmore location, unveiled during the grand opening, symbolises not just a retail expansion but a progressive leap towards innovative energy solutions, boasting a robust 20,000-megawatt solar system. “Right now, 80 per cent of all the electricity is solar-generated. I have to say Portmore really lives up to the name of the Sunshine City,” Anne Chang, the dynamic CEO of Fontana Limited proudly revealed.

But the call to shift to solar also comes amidst ongoing efforts to improve Portmore as it prepares to become the 15th parish of Jamaica. With a substantial population of around 30,000 people, Terrelonge emphasised the need to prepare the populace for a significant transition, anchoring the future of Portmore in sustainable energy practices. To address the transformation, Terrelonge pointed to investing in the younger generation to form the framework. He outlined ambitious plans for a youth innovation centre, a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, HEART/NSTA Trust, and the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology.

“I propose the establishment of a central youth innovation centre within the new Resilience Park in Portmore,” Terrelonge stated. “Focused on high-tech skills, training, and innovation essential for enhancing Jamaica’s global competitiveness in the modern economy.”

He highlighted the transformative role of the centre in youth empowerment, particularly in navigating the country through the fourth industrial revolution, the age of technology. The proposed centre aims to equip young individuals with high-tech skills essential for future job markets. Terrelonge’s vision extends to the production, repair, and installation of solar panels throughout Portmore, aligning with the broader initiative to make the Sunshine City a hub for sustainable energy practices.