Voices Magazine-Issue

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | February 2018 6 Panellists from left, Mr Juan Cruz Monticelli, Senior Energy Specialist, OAS Department of Sustainable Energy, Miss Michelle Chin Lenn, Project Manager, Wigton Windfarm Ltd., Mrs Hillary Alexander, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. Ruth Potopsingh Associate Vice President, Sustainable Energy, UTech, Jamaica and moderator, Dr. Malaika Masson, Regional Energy Specialist, Country Offices, Jamaica and Bahamas, IDB, Miss Alicia Smith, and Mr Robert Wright, Managing Director, New Leaf Power. Assistant Secretary General of the Organisation of American States His Excellency Nestor Mendez addressing the audience at the 70th Anniversary Lecture and Roundtable Discussion on “The Caribbean Sustainable Energy Challenge.” OAS 70 th Anniversary Lecture and Roundtable Discussion on Sustainable Energy In discussion from left: Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, Associate Vice President, Sustainable Energy and Head, Caribbean Sustainable Energy and Innovation Institute (CSEII), UTech, Jamaica, His Excellency Nestor Mendez, Organisation of American States (OAS) Assistant Secretary General, Mrs. Hillary Alexander, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President, University of Technology, Jamaica and Ms. Jeanelle van GlaanenWeygel, Representative, OAS, Office of the General Secretariat in Jamaica at the OAS 70th Anniversary Lecture and Roundtable Discussion on “The Caribbean Sustainable Energy Challenge” held at the University of Technology, Jamaica Papine Campus on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. T he University of Technology, Jamaica on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 hosted the Organization of American States (OAS) 70th Anniversary Lecture and Roundtable Discussion on “The Caribbean Sustainable Energy Challenge,” at the university’s Shared Facilities Building, Papine Campus. The objectives of the discussion were to facilitate dialogue to explore ways in which countries can take advantage of the technical and financial mechanisms at their disposal to advance energy sector transformation in the Caribbean. Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President congratulated the OAS on its 70th Anniversary, noting that the Organisation “has been a source of critical support to Member States in building human capacity in many areas such as electoral observations, trade negotiations, natural disasters mitigation, governance, scholarships and development projects.” The President expressed hope that the University will work more closely with the OAS in other areas such as education, infrastructural efforts and in security matters, including cybercrimes. Resilient Energy Infrastructure The keynote address was delivered by His Excellency Nestor Mendez, Assistant Secretary General, OAS. While noting that many Island States are doing their part to advance energy transition and to take advantage of the opportunities available to them to deliver modern and affordable energy services, the Ambassador said there is tremendous untapped potential to improve energy efficiency, reliability, sustainability and affordability. He emphasised the need to improve energy infrastructure within the Caribbean to withstand the onslaught of prevalent natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes. Panel Discussion A panel discussion elaborating on the theme “The Caribbean Sustainable Energy Challenge,” followed the lecture, moderated by Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, Associate Vice President, Sustainable Energy and Head, Caribbean Sustainable Energy and Innovation Institute (CSEII), UTech, Jamaica. The panellists all reinforced the need for more investment in strategies and policies to enhance the resilience of energy infrastructure in Jamaica and the region. Panellists were Mr Juan Cruz Monticelli, Senior Energy Specialist, OAS Department of Sustainable Energy, Mrs Hillary Alexander, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. Malaika Masson, Regional Energy Specialist, Country Offices, Jamaica and Bahamas, InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), Miss Michelle Chin Lenn, Project Manager of Wigton Windfarm, Mr. Robert Wright, Managing Director, New Leaf Power and Miss Alicia Smith, Habitat Coordinator, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and student, UTech, Ja., Master of Science in Sustainable Energy and Climate Change.