Turning Towards Renewable Energy
How one Jamaican is “renewing” the minds of her fellow countrymen to conserve and preserve energy one installation at a time
Zahra Ennis, 32, admits she has gotten accustomed to the constant questions and concerns when she carries out the duties of her job.
“Are you going to go on the roof?” “Do you not have anyone to help you?” “Are you sure you know what you are doing?”
As the marketing director for Saddle Energy Ltd., a small renewable energy company that specializes in solar assessments, equipment procurement and installations, Zahra’s job goes beyond her official title and covers most of the company’s operations.
“My job will take me from sales to surveys and site visits,” explains Zahra.
It is a job that has increased her appetite to learn and grow in the energy industry over the last two years.
Jamaica’s energy sector is largely dependent on imported fossil fuels. The country’s imports account for more than 87% of electricity production. The high cost of imported fuel results in Jamaican electricity rates being more than double the global average. This cost was high even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which caused a spike in oil prices. The higher oil prices are directly passed to the consumer through higher electricity bills. During natural disasters, to which Jamaica is especially prone, oil prices also increase.
Although she is fairly new to the energy sector, Zahra has a passion for finding ways to conserve and preserve the biodiversity within her country and, by extension, the planet. With a bachelors degree in Marine Biology, it was easy for Zahra to make the transition and join the energy company when the opportunity presented itself. But she wanted to learn more, especially about renewable energy.
In 2021, she learned about the USAID-funded photovoltaics course [Photovoltaics, or PV, is the conversion of sunlight into electricity], offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Associate Program and administered by Green Solutions International.
With Jamaica’s dependence on the use of crude oil and liquified natural gas for electricity supply, increasing Jamaicans knowledge and understanding of PV become more important to reducing the country’s emissions and achieving its climate change targets. This can be achieved by having more renewable energy systems installed across the island.
Zahra successfully applied for a scholarship from the USAID-supported Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance to cover the six week intensive course, the cost of which was out of her budget.
The PV course is a part of a larger partnership between USAID and the CADMUS Group, which launched a $4 million Global Development Alliance in 2021 between U.S. and Jamaican firms, aiming to boost energy sector resilience and enhance business continuity across the island. Dubbed the Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance, the activity expands renewable energy technology availability and accessibility for businesses in key Jamaican sectors, including tourism and manufacturing.
Prior to taking the course, Zahra was at a disadvantage in her new career. “While I was working with a solar installer, I wouldn’t really be able to know exactly what they were talking about when they told me the type of equipment needed and the limitations they had in doing roofing installations,” she explained.
Today, Zahra proudly and happily notes that she is very active in doing site visits and advising the team on the necessary requirements, rather than hiring a subcontractor.
“I think I’m having an impact in educating the public and anyone that reaches out to Saddle Energy about how to get started with solar,” she says. “Educating our customers about their renewable options, and ensuring that we are providing them with the right information and guiding them along the way, is what I aim to do every chance I get.”
Jamaica’s Vision 2030 calls for the government to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation. While the official target established is to have 30% of energy come from renewables by 2030, Prime Minister Andrew Holness is pushing the government to achieve 50% by that time. As of 2020, Jamaica’s use of renewables accounted for approximately 11% of its energy — 6.5% wind, 3.5% hydropower; and 1% solar.
That’s why programs like this through USAID’s partnership are important to move the needle forward in the country’s climate smart initiatives.
“To date, USAID continues to help identify and implement approaches that encourage private sector involvement in improving the renewable energy market; diversify energy sources; and supporting energy infrastructure alternatives that ensure electrical supply,” says Jannelle James, USAID/Jamaica Energy Project Management Specialist. “The Agency has assisted more than 50 people receive Solar Photovoltaic Associate Training Course Certification and is providing support to several private companies to secure financing for PV and PV plus storage systems.”
Zahra’s personal goal is to help more Jamaicans fully embrace renewable energy through public awareness and education: “If we continue to educate our people and renew their way of thinking about the benefits of renewable energy and solar power, we will continue to make strides to preserve and conserve our country.”
About the Author
Kimberley Weller is the Development Outreach and Communications Specialist for USAID’s Mission in Jamaica.
