Jamaica targets renewable energy, safer transport and stronger telecoms for 2026/27

Jamaica’s Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications says its 2026/27 programme will focus on lowering energy pressure, improving mobility and strengthening communications systems that support daily life and national resilience.

On energy, the Government is moving ahead with what is being presented as the Caribbean’s largest renewable procurement exercise. The generation procurement entity has increased the planned tender to 300 megawatts of renewable capacity and 150 megawatts of battery storage, with the process scheduled for August 2026. The net billing programme is also being expanded, with the potential to add another 100 megawatts of distributed renewable energy from homes and businesses. Its terms of reference have been completed, and an online application platform is expected later this year.

Power wheeling regulations, which would allow electricity generated in one place to be used elsewhere, have been completed and gazetted. Final discussions are continuing on tariffs and billing. The updated national energy policy is also being finalised, with priorities including electricity access for the remaining five per cent of Jamaicans, efficiency, affordability and disaster resilience.

Petrojam remains central to fuel supply and foreign exchange earnings as the Caribbean’s only operating petroleum refinery. For the 2026/27 financial year, projected sales are 12.21 million barrels, including about 7.2 million barrels for the local market and 4.9 million for export. The company is also investing US$15 million in electrical works, storage capacity and furnace rehabilitation.

In the electricity sector, Cabinet has approved heads of terms for negotiations on a new licence with the Jamaica Public Service Company. The negotiation team is awaiting the signing of a non-disclosure agreement, while international legal counsel is being engaged. A white paper on electricity reform is under review.

Transport measures include an updated national policy and action plan, a five per cent allocation from traffic fines to road safety work, and $265 million assigned for the period April 2025 to March 2026. Cabinet has also approved development of a national ride-hailing policy, with a steering committee guiding stakeholder input before a green paper is prepared.

Public passenger vehicle operators could see a pending 16 per cent fare adjustment, while longer-term plans include fleet modernisation, vehicle-age policy updates, incentives for electric and hybrid units, training and better parking infrastructure. The rural school bus system, managed by the JUTC, now carries up to 20,000 students daily on more than 100 buses, with another 100 school buses planned. A further 100 JUTC buses are also being pursued.

Jamaica has also been re-elected to Category C of the International Maritime Organization Council, as it marks 50 years in the IMO and 25 years of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica. Aviation connectivity is being expanded through air-service agreements, including planned work with Curaçao later this year. In telecommunications, a new subsea cable is targeted for operation by 2027, while the national emergency telecommunications plan was presented to the Government earlier this year by the International Telecommunication Union after Hurricane Melissa underscored the need for resilient crisis communications.