USAID and the Cadmus-led Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance Win CREF Award for Best Distributed Generation Project
Recognizing Contributions to Sustainable Energy Transformation
ARLINGTON, VA., May 2, 2024—The Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance (JERA), led by Cadmus, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) jointly received the award for Best Distributed Generation Project at the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) 2024 for the Strengthening Energy Sector Resilience in Jamaica (SESR-Jamaica) Program. The CREF Industry Awards recognize excellence across clean energy programs and projects in the Caribbean. Nominees are judged across a series of criteria, including innovative approaches to development, value to investors and customers, and social and environmental impact.
Launched in January 2021, SESR-Jamaica is a 3.5-year joint effort of JERA and USAID offering specialized support to Jamaican businesses seeking to reduce power costs, increase reliability of supply, and green their operations. Through strategic partnerships, targeted outreach, education, no-cost technical assistance, and workforce development, SESR-Jamaica has to date facilitated contracts for nearly 2.4MW of distributed commercial solar capacity and 2.3MWh of battery storage, including 1.9MW by 22 small and medium-sized enterprises with program support.
“Through the SESR-Jamaica program, participating businesses are leading the way in sustainable, resilient energy generation that creates significant value and opportunity for their communities,” said Cadmus President and CEO Ian Kline. “Cadmus is thrilled to be recognized for its innovative partnership with USAID and the Jamaican business community to build a cleaner, more resilient energy sector.”
USAID/Jamaica Country Representative, Jay Singh, said, “It is heartening to see the work by USAID’s Strengthening Energy Sector Resilience activity recognized by CREF. Jamaica’s energy sector is heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels which makes the country susceptible to external shocks. USAID is actively working in Jamaica to increase energy resilience, in part by mobilizing private sector funds to facilitate clean energy project development and investment through SESR and other activities. This program also advances the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030). While there is still a considerable way to go for Jamaica, USAID is proud that through the SESR activity, we were able to show businesses how they can incorporate renewables to increase resilience and efficiency and take the country one step closer to achieving its commitment to generating 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.”
SESR-Jamaica also includes a first-of-its-kind pilot project between the University of the West Indies – Mona (UWI Mona), LASCO Manufacturing Ltd, and LASCO Distributors Ltd. The LASCO affiliated companies constitute one of the largest food manufacturing and distribution operations in Jamaica. The pilot project features a 500kW solar and 1,064kwh battery storage system serving LASCO that also serves as a UWI Mona training and research platform. The project also includes a 10kW solar hybrid system at the Central Village Multi-Purpose Centre which serves the community adjacent to LASCO’s distribution center and provides resilient power, including during grid interruptions.
JERA members include Green Solutions International SKN, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, LASCO Manufacturing Ltd, LASCO Distributors Ltd, RMI, the UWI Mona, Wigton Windfarm Ltd, WRB Energy, and Xergy Energy.
About Cadmus
Cadmus is a strategic and technical consultancy compelled to help solve the world’s most challenging problems. We assemble outstanding teams of leading experts with an ethos grounded in collaboration and a drive for impact, who work seamlessly across disciplines and leverage transformative technologies to help our clients achieve extraordinary outcomes. Together, we are strengthening society and the natural world. Cadmus’ more than 1,000 consultants serve government, commercial, and nongovernmental organizations around the world. For more information, visit www.cadmusgroup.com.