Project Detail

Promoting the use of Renewable Energy through the Princess Field Solar Training and Cyber Centre

The community of Princess Field lacks access to affordable energy coupled with very little alternative livelihood which yields a bleak picture on the future of its residents, especially the young. Moreover, the energy used by households and small and micro businesses is all fossil fuel which resulted in high monthly costs. This climate change mitigation effort is the flagship project identified within the Princess Field five-year Community Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy (RE) Action Plan, and is the first of its kind in the community. The Community Action Plan was developed through an interactive and community-driven planning process guided by the St. Catherine Community Development Agency (SACDA) as part of the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) and US Agency for International Development (USAID) project, Analysis and Investment in Low Emission Growth (AILEG). The Action Plan supports the achievement of climate change goals and socio-economic objectives important to the community, including employment and youth engagement.

The flagship project is the establishment of a solar-powered training facility for solar technician training and a cyber-centre. Although the solar PV system will only service the training facility/cyber-centre, it will be used as a demonstration for the community residents and other community groups in Jamaica to replicate. The solar PV system will be comprised of 15 panels of 280 watts each with an area of 22 ft2 (2.04 m2) each for a total 330 ft2 (30.7 m2), and battery storage to act as a disaster risk reduction measure for continued power availability during storms or other periods with low sun irradiance. The cyber-centre will contain ten desktop computers and one printer. The facility will be lit with compact fluorescent lights (CFL) as an additional energy efficiency measure. The project site will be located in Princess Field.

Project Objectives
? To help alleviate poverty and improve lives through provision of training and renewable energy for development of livelihood activities in the Princess Field community
? To increase knowledge about Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and stimulate behaviour change amongst the Princess field community residents through education, public awareness programs and social marketing programs
? Promoting the adoption of renewable energy (RE) through (i) a demonstration project at the community centre and (ii) training of local residents in the installation and O&M of small-scale solar PV systems

Expected Results
? Community centre: Is refurbished and fully powered by solar energy, offers cyber centre services at affordable rates and provides training for employment
? Community residents change their energy use habits as they become more aware of the importance of saving energy and how they can contribute to climate change mitigation.
? Removal of barriers to energy efficiency (EE) and energy conservation (EC) through an education and information campaign in the community to foster change in habits

Loading map...

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

St. Catherine Community Development Agency

Country:

Jamaica

Area Of Work:

Climate Change Mitigation

Operational Phase:

OP5 - Y2 (Jul 12 – Jun 13)

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 1,056.88

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 13,568.37

Project Number:

JAM/SGP/OP5/2/STAR/CC/13/02

Start Date:

12/2013

End Date:

8/2015

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Photo Gallery

View of area where container willed be placed.

View photo gallery

Project Characteristics and Results

Linkages gef projects

A linkage was created between our organization and the Jamaica Maritime Institute Trust Fund (JMITF), which is another GEF/SGP grant beneficiary. The JMITF's technical personnel worked with SACDA to develop the specifications for the procurement of the solar system. The team worked out the technical component and guided the activity until it was completed.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

As this community is a relatively small community the mode of communication is in most forms direct, i.e. word of mouth. To further assist with the message, community bulletin boards are used, and notices are sent to the various churches and local groups such as farmer, senior citizen, youth etc).

Replication of project activities

It is our hope that this project would be replicated in other communities since we firmly believe that it impacts positively on the livelihood of residents. To assist with replication, a knowledge sharing session can be conducted through SACDA to educate community members from other regions throughout the island. The lessons learned throughout the life of the project would be documented and shared with government and non-government agencies to enable them to carry out projects of a similar nature. The facilities would be open to other groups/agencies to visit and learn from the experience of our community members and the benefits such a Centre provides to residents.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

No clear knowledge management strategy has been defined. It is expected however, that participants from the training session would be able to train or share their knowledge with other residents.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Not applicable to this project

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

One of the Project Objectives is to help alleviate poverty and improve lives through the provision of training and renewable energy for development of livelihood activities in the Princess Field community. At the end of this Project, persons within the community would have access to information technology that can be used for training sessions, workshops and other similar types of events, children will be able to receive computer training and would also be assisted with computer based homework and assignments, a service that is not readily available.

Project sustainability

Princess Field community has a five-year Community Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action Plan. The Community Action Plan was developed through an interactive and community-driven planning process guided by SACDA as part of the Government of Jamaica and USAID Agency for International Development project. This project remains sustainable through fees obtained from the services offered at the centre which would be used to cover the cost of utility bills, stationery, related material and stipend for the managers. The use of renewable energy contributes significantly to the sustainability of this project since it reduces the cost of electricity consumption by the Centre.

Notable Community Participation

The community of Princess Field lacks access to affordable energy coupled with very little alternative livelihood which yields a bleak picture on the future of its residents, especially the young. This project is very relevant within the community as it is an avenue through which the youth would be able to receive some training and also become gainfully employed. Youth involvement in this project is expected to begin after the proposal is accepted. At the initial Community Consultation meeting, where villagers would be informed of the proposal acceptance, upcoming projects and its expected outcome, the youth groups would be invited to participate. As the project begins and evolves, the youth involved in the project would receive training in several areas that are relevant to the development of the Centre. Tred Laboratory, for example is expected to provide computer training to four (4) youths. In addition, the youth involved in the project would participate in a Logistic and Solar Energy training session where they can received a Certificate of Participation. It is hoped at the end of the project, the youth groups would select representatives to run the Centre.

Policy Influence

The development of renewable energy sources will not only reduce the country's dependence on imported oil but will also provide new employment opportunities towards building Jamaica's green economy. This project aims to promote the use of renewable energy in the community of St. Catherine by adopting an approach that is reflective of the Jamaica Energy Policy 2009-2030. The successful outcome of this project would be used as an example of the ways in which Renewable energy can positively impact the lives of citizens, and can be used to impact policy decisions surrounding the need for this initiative.

Capacity - Building Component

The members of the team are not familiar with the procurement process necessary to acquire and install the Solar system, the Computers and IT equipment. To address this capacity need, members of the SACDA staff are expected to meet with UNDP's IT and Procurement personnel to better understand the procurement process. The UNDP is expected to share their guidelines and procedures with the team and allow for a question and answer segment to ensure all concerns are addressed. SACDA staff and community members are also expected to be exposed to various training sessions, for example, the members selected to operate the Centre will be given a Cyber Operating training session. The team is also expected to learn the basics of installation, maintenance and operation of the solar system.

Planning non gef grant

There are no immediate plans to scale up through a non-GEF grant. However, SACDA will continue to seek projects that are relevant to the Agency?s goal and objectives and providing SACDA can meet the requirements then we will seek the needed support.

Planning gef grant

There are no immediate plans to scale up to a medium-sized GEF grant. However, SACDA will continue to seek projects that are relevant to the Agency?s goal and objectives and providing SACDA can meet the requirements then we will seek the needed support.

Policy Impact

This project adopts an approach in keeping with Jamaica's Energy Policy 2009-2030. The goals therefore are directly aligned with the National Policy's Goal and Objectives of an energy sector that reflects a sustained improvement in the ways in which energy is used. Through the Office of the Prime Minister, the Government of Jamaica assisted in this project and it is our expectations that the Government would view the project as a positive example when seeking to advocate for the use of renewable energy throughout the island.

Gender Focus

Women in the community are usually involved in the planning, budgeting and monitoring aspect of projects while men based on the nature of the projects will be directly involved in the execution of it. There is no obvious unbalance in their role. Women were involved in the mobilization of community members, clean-up activities, preparation of the venue and meals for the meetings. Men were involved in the construction of the base, installation of electricity, fencing of the Centre. Both men and women were involved in the training sessions offered.

Project Results

Overall, this project was a tremendous success for the Princess Field Community of St. Catherine. The project was community driven and members of the Princess Field community were engaged from the inception of the project. The solar system was successfully installed and is fully powered by solar energy. This enables the Centre to reduce electricity cost thereby offering a more reasonably priced service to residents. Four youths within the community were trained in the area of Cyber operations and they are now assisting with the training of our youths within the community. The overall benefit is now being realized as men, women and children are now able to access computerized services such as computer classes, assistance with School Based Assessments and other such services, that was not previously available within the community.

+ View more

Indicators

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 20

Livehood

Number of individuals (gender diaggregated) who have benefited* from SGP project 18

Back to search results

Countries

Regions

Project Snapshot

Photo Gallery

SGP Country office contact

Address