THE Governments of Jamaica and the United States yesterday signed a Statement of Intent outlining the planned areas of co-operation on the development and deployment of energy-related technologies between both countries.

The document was signed by Jamaica's Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell, and Secretary of the United States Department of Energy Dr Ernest Moniz at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in St Andrew.

The Statement of Intent outlines the possible provision of technical assistance for the modernisation of the energy infrastructure; development of the energy renewable sector; fuel diversification especially in relation to the acquisition of natural gas; and the strengthening of the governance structure.

Minister Paulwell said Jamaica was very pleased that part of the agreement had to do with the issue of natural gas.

"Jamaica has attempted, for many years, to implement a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, but we have been hindered because we just did not have access to liquefied natural gas, and so one of the important achievements is the American support for our accessing natural gas," Paulwell said.

He added that the Government is aiming to have Jamaica identified as a possible hub allowing natural gas to be delivered to the rest of the region.

"Those are some of things we will be looking at, and we are also looking at energy conservation and efficiency in both the public and private sectors and the US promised to assist us," Paulwell said.

He said, too, that the Government was committed to ensuring the success of the collaboration by providing the necessary support to facilitate work with the US Department of Energy.

"This collaboration will primarily be executed through the production and exchange of periodic reviews of the achievements of the partnerships, which will be measured against the agreed targets. So, I am very pleased at the continuation of our relationship between the United States and Jamaica," the energy minister said.

For his part, Dr Moniz noted that the visit of President Barack Obama was an indication of the US Government's commitment to working with its neighbours on clean energy and energy security.

Dr Moniz was part of the delegation of the US president, who left Jamaica yesterday.