PCJ committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Deputy Chairman of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) Noel DaCosta says the PCJ is in full support of Jamaica's mission to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

DaCosta, who was among PCJ members celebrating the company's 35th anniversary at the Webster United Memorial Church on Half-Way Tree Road in St Andrew yesterday, said the PCJ was working towards reducing carbon emissions by focusing on renewable energy.

"With renewable energy, we reduce carbon footprints, so we are working on several projects such as the hydro-project and the wind farm, which will reduce the carbon footprint," DaCosta told The Gleaner.

Groundbreaking research

Senior Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary Nerine Small told the gathering that the PCJ was leading groundbreaking research in various areas of energy, including extensive investigations into Jamaica's potential for renewable energy.

Small later told The Gleaner that the PCJ had two sets of projects in the works to deal with efficient energy usage and renewable energy.

"We have the immediate projects such as the energy efficiency. We will continue to do those, in terms of our work, with a lot of public sector organisations such as schools, hospitals, and so on. We are trying to put in solar panels to reduce the reliance on oil," said Small.

In terms of longer-term projects, Small said the PCJ was looking at more wind and solar projects to help with the reduction of the carbon footprint.

The PCJ was the title sponsor of the Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo, which is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday this week at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

- Kemisha Anderson