Dubbed the largest oil supply disruption in global history by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the current Middle East stand-off involving the coalition of the USA and Israel against Iran has, regrettably, placed the world in a precarious position — effectively holding global trade at ransom, for lack of a better term — by constraining the transport and issuance of fuel and petroleum-based products across international markets.

You see, the problem with leverage is that one is ultimately at the mercy of those who call the shots, especially when an economy depends heavily on foreign markets — a dependency that exposes nations to external shocks, erodes sovereignty in decision-making, and underscores the urgent need for diversification and resilience in domestic production and trade.

Oftentimes, the initial shock of subjugation compels the subjugated to act in rebellion and instinctively chart an escape or, in a twist of historical irony, invert the narrative by transforming the subjugator into the subjugated.

In the book of Daniel, chapter 6, a bout of jealousy among the appointed princes and administrators led them to make charges against Daniel, who was subsequently thrown in the lion’s den overnight. With no hope of escape, the king’s conscience must have burned with unquenchable grief amid the hours of twilight given Daniel’s expected fate. Long story short, Daniel was freed, and his captors were laid waste along with their families in the den.

So the question remains: Will Jamaica, long celebrated as the jewel of the Caribbean, be able to break free from this den called absolute crude oil dependency? Or will it wait to be devoured by global superpowers through economic imbalances compounded by geopolitical leverage?

Reality has finally parked her vehicle at our doorsteps; we have reached a crossroads, and we must, hereafter, choose our direction carefully and urgently, for the path we select now will determine whether we acclimatise to shifting global dynamics or regress into vulnerability.

Liquid Gold or Bargaining Chip?

Crude (unrefined) oil, also known as liquid gold or black gold for its immense economic value and high energy density, has served as humanity’s primary source of fuel for thousands of years. In spite of accelerating developments in renewable energy technologies, it has remained the impetus behind the post-industrialisation era, symbolising both the prosperity enabled by fossil fuels and the persistent dependency that complicates the global transition towards sustainable energy systems.

Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons in the liquid state that, when burnt, produces vast amounts of heat, energy, and light — a property that has made it indispensable to industrial growth. Countless productivity hours and resources are expended in the pursuit of locating crude oil — similar to a treasure hunt — in ample deposits, a process that invariably exacts a heavy toll on the environment in injurious and pernicious ways.

Then follows the processing. Crude oil is not useful in its unrefined state, and so it undergoes a meticulous and arduous procedure known as fractional distillation, operating at around 350 degrees Celsius per column. Recall that crude oil is a complex mixture, and, as such, its components must be separated by heavily relying on the boiling points of the fractions — petrol for cars, kerosene for aircraft, bitumen for roads and roofs, among others. This process is energy intensive and thus one of the driving forces behind rising prices.

Currently, Jamaica’s energy sector is heavily powered by petroleum-based combustion, which accounted for 80 per cent of its electricity in 2023, according to the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications (METT). The ministry also reported that as of 2024, the country consumed 44,142 barrels of oil per day, representing 90 per cent of its total energy usage.

Solar Power — A Ray of Hope

Now, the expected rebuttals to the use of solar would be: “Jamaica doesn’t have oil deposits,” “A long time we a use it, so why change now,” or “There is no magic bullet to solve the energy crisis.”

I believe Jamaica can still make a meaningful change to basic assumptions through solar power with deliberate injection of more capital into solar infrastructure in gradual stages. In the Jamaica Observer article titled, ‘JPS CEO warns against “rushed” renewable transition’ on March 2, 2025, Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant agreed that Jamaica needs a careful adoption of renewables without being rushed or appearing quixotic. He admits that despite the development of 170-Megawatt battery energy storage system by JPS, this is not enough to power Jamaica long term.

Despite its lower energy density compared to fossil fuels, solar power — depending on the intensity of sunlight and time of day — may very well (forcibly) be our redeeming feature when the Jamaican Government eventually removes subsidies or caps. Barrels are moving at US$120 apiece, and the snowball effect will be evident in transport costs, key utilities, and holding costs.

The story of Ramón Méndez is nothing short of remarkable and inspirational: One man against the inertia of his nation, convinced that Uruguay could pivot decisively towards renewables. Branded as either stupid or dangerously ambitious, he nonetheless spearheaded the country’s transition away from fossil fuels. With the 2008 energy crisis as catalyst and a rare consensus across the political directorate, Uruguay embarked on a transformation that redefined its energy landscape.

Today, the mix stands at 50 per cent hydropower, 30 per cent wind, 15 per cent biomass, and an expanding share of solar. The electricity sector is now fully decarbonised, its emissions far below the global average, generating a culminative output of 2,000 Megawatts, inclusive of wind power. Beyond environmental gains, the transition generated close to 50,000 new jobs — representing about 3 per cent of the national labour force — proving that sustainability can be both an ecological imperative and an economic driver.

Hydroelectric power may also need a stronger thrust and investment to further leverage the energy mix in order to power nearby settlements and put less pressure on the national grid. Again, this would be seasonal, and barring the obvious pitfalls, it can prove useful during the heavy rainfall season, with specialised infrastructure that can withstand storm surges.

Ocean Power and Biochar

Another underutilised area is generating power from sea waves. For example, the first US onshore wave energy pilot project, developed by Eco Wave Power, made its debut in September 2025 at the Port of Los Angeles, anchored at AltaSea. The installation harnesses the restless rhythm of the Pacific, using buoyant floaters affixed to existing pier structures to generate pressurised fluid that drives electric generators. It transforms the ceaseless push and pull of ocean waves into usable electricity, with the ambition of eventually powering thousands of homes. For decades, the ocean has been treated as backdrop — vast, untamed, and peripheral to industrial progress. Now it is being recast as a protagonist in the energy transition.

A source that shows considerable promise in both the energy and agriculture sectors is the mass production of biochar. Unlike gasoline or kerosene, biochar, when burnt, generates far fewer greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), positioning it as a cleaner alternative fuel. More importantly, it serves as a powerful agent of carbon sequestration, storing and trapping carbon in a stable form that can remain locked in soils for centuries. This dual function makes biochar not only a tool for mitigating climate change but also a catalyst for agricultural resilience.

Its porous structure is particularly noteworthy. Acting like a sponge, biochar retains water and key nutrients with remarkable efficacy, thereby improving soil fertility across diverse soil types. Farmers working in drought-prone regions or on degraded lands can benefit immensely, as biochar enhances crop yields while reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers. In this way, it bridges the gap between sustainable energy innovation and food security, offering a rare constructive collaboration that few technologies achieve.

Moving Forward

The global energy crisis has underscored the urgency of finding alternatives to fossil fuel. Going forward, Jamaica must recognise that energy security is not a distant aspiration or a stretch goal, it is a pressing reality that must be achieved if we are to safeguard future generations. The lesson is clear: Energy resilience lies in intentional diversification. The world is recalibrating its energy future, and Jamaica cannot afford to be left behind this time. Borrowing the wisdom of former US President Jimmy Carter: “Every act of energy conservation…is more than just common sense: I tell you it is an act of patriotism.”

Dujean Edwards is an educator and researcher with interests in entrepreneurship and digital Literacy. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or dujeanedwards@gmail.com.

Dujean Edwards