Changes have been made to the Customs Act for the removal of the five per cent import duty on LED bulbs and solar water heaters. The amendments were approved in the House of Representatives late Wednesday.
Finance Minister Dr. Peter Phillips said the changes are part of the Government's plan to improve energy efficiency.
“A 5 percent duty was attached to these rates, which in fact would have raised the rates from zero to five. This amendment returns it to zero, in keeping with the Government’s overall policy of encouraging energy conservation,” said the Finance Minister.
Meanwhile, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has signed three agreements for the purchase of electricity from renewable energy. The power purchase agreements were signed with BMR Jamaica, Wigton Wind Farm and WRB Enterprises.
Earlier this year, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) granted permission to the entities, to develop renewable energy power plants. They comprise two wind farms and a solar energy plant.
Combined, the three entities will add about 78 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
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