Dear Editor,

When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica with fierce gale-like winds last October, it resulted in 77 per cent of the island losing power. This, in turn, led to limited access to potable water in several badly affected communities, critical disruptions to life-preserving medical services across major health-care institutions, and interruptions to business operations essential for food security and production. The lack of illumination in volatile constituencies created opportunities for vandalism and theft, while others were left at the mercy of pests, endangering their health without adequate protection.

As of this week, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) reported that 94 per cent of its customers have had their power restored, leaving the remaining 6 per cent long overdue for relief. Undeniably, the storm’s impact has taught us that we must establish stronger climate-resilient foundations and best practices across all sectors. What irks me — even prior to Melissa — is that we have not fully utilised the renewable energy paradigm, despite being known as the “land of wood and water”.

Eighty per cent of Jamaica’s electricity comes with fossil fuel consumption, while the remaining 20 per cent bifurcates into solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Our energy mix is regrettably underutilised despite Jamaica’s locality in the Tropical Marine Climate (TMC).

Every year on January 26, the International Day of Clean Energy is commemorated for the regime of renewable energy. This observance highlights the global integration of the green economy — an initiative that, when successful, reduces carbon footprints and fosters a cleaner environment. The focus is on lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving resource efficiency, reduce waste creation, and increasing reliance on renewable sources of energy. These efforts are closely aligned with the Paris Agreement of 2015, which underscores our commitment to limiting any further rise in global temperatures above 1.5 degrees Celsius.

I am certain that we must revitalise our limited renewable energy sector as a survival strategy in a region plagued by natural disasters. Hurricane Melissa did more than blow off roofs — it stripped away the veil that exposed critical weaknesses in our traditional power grid.

A few recommendations, in my candid opinion, that can help catalyse our pace towards climate resilience include:

• develop small-scale solar farms in rural and urban areas — on unutilised land — to decentralise energy supply. Jamaica has ample land space to make this a plausible long term project;

• provide tax incentives and subsidies (carbon credit system) for solar adoption, especially for vulnerable communities;

• the establishment of microgrids powered by solar, wind, and/or biomass (natural gas), which can operate independently when the national grid fails;

• the construction of biodigesters in major constituents as a contingency plan. Natural gas produces less carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilogram than Kerosene and gasoline;

• building hurricane resistant designs (reinforced mounting, flexible panels, modular systems) coupled with smart grid system and energy storage.

Let’s push forward the narrative of Jamaica being a leader in renewable energy and climate resilience within the Caribbean. Melissa’s passing underscores the urgency of building our future powered by solar, wind, hydro, and resilient microgrids, and lead the charge of transformation of vulnerability to strength.

Christiana Figueres, an internationally recognised leader on climate change, once said, “Renewable energy is not just a solution to climate change, it is also the foundation of a safer, healthier, and more equitable world.”

Dujean Edwards

Educator and researcher

dujeanedwards@gmail.com