This
month sees a step forward for sustainability in the Cayman Islands as
the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure (CPI) launches
a new public education campaign for its National Energy Policy,
Energy
Cayman.

The
vision of the campaign is to promote energy efficiency and
conservation methods to residents and businesses in the Cayman
Islands, encouraging a sustainable lifestyle through responsible and
innovative energy supply and consumption.

While
the word ‘energy’ may evoke a sub-conscious association with
electricity in our minds, it is important to note that the concept of
energy actually covers a much broader spectrum of the community. The
way we produce and consume energy is relevant in many different
aspects of our daily lives, and it is essential for us to plan
towards a more sustainable future across the board.

Through
the launch of the Energy
Cayman
Campaign, the National Energy Policy will be addressing the first
goal on their action plan, Knowledge and Education. The intention of
the public education campaign is to create awareness and equip the
community with a better understanding of how energy is supplied and
consumed in Cayman, and the goals that have been put in place to
improve on these processes.

Originally
drafted in 2013 and adopted by Cabinet in 2017, The National Energy
Policy has been an ongoing project for the Ministry of CPI for a
number of years. With the support of the Government, the policy was
initiated as a form of recognition for the importance of
sustainability, and a step towards prioritising development in this
field.

The
multi-faceted National Energy Policy consists of 99 different
strategies spanning across a wide variety of sectors such as:
electricity; fuels;
transportation; land use and buildings; water and wastewater;
public education and awareness;
and climate change and the environment. The policy has developed
these strategies to create a tangible plan for a more sustainable
lifestyle through responsible energy supply and consumption in
Cayman. For more details on these strategies, or to read the full
policy, visit www.energy.gov.ky.

Minister
of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure, Hon. Joey Hew, has welcomed
the drive to increase public awareness of the National Energy Policy.
Minister Hew noted that it cannot be business as usual if the
Cayman Islands are going to achieve the targets set out in the
policy. “For us to achieve the targets set out in the National
Energy Policy, we will require concerted efforts by all stakeholders,
and from every area of our economy that consumes energy. An important
component of those efforts will be increasing education on various
aspects of the policy so that the general public will have a better
understanding of the framework government is using, and therefore
make choices that will reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions,”
he stated.

One
of the main focusses of the policy is to support energy security by
reducing the reliance on imported fossil-based fuels in the Cayman
Islands.

Kristen
Augustine, Energy Policy Co-ordinator, commented, “The Cayman
Islands is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels for energy
needs, with water, electricity and transport all reliant on imported
oil. In 2014, only 0.9% of electricity was generated by renewable
energy sources, with 95% of utility scale electricity generated by
diesel. There is therefore a great need for Cayman to transition from
energy dependency to energy security.”

“Over
the next few years we will be working with the whole Cayman
population to ensure that everyone is able to contribute to a
sustainable Cayman. From the transport choices we make, to our energy
and water consumption, we all have a part to play in creating a
better future for the Cayman Islands. We are committed to helping the
population do that”, Mrs. Augustine said.

The
Ministry had already committed to creating a more sustainable future
for the Cayman Islands that is built upon energy security and a
dependence on renewable energy sources. This year, Covid-19 has
brought the world to a pause, giving the natural environment time to
heal. The effects of the pandemic have inspired a renewed focus on
sustainability in the Cayman Islands, creating an opportunity to
re-ignite the National Energy Policy with the Energy
Cayman
campaign

The
National Energy Policy has identified goals and high level targets to
meet these heightened sustainability aspirations
for
Cayman. As a first step, the initiative is committed to ensuring the
community is well educated and knowledgeable on the impact of energy
demand on the environment through the launch of this public education
campaign.

“The
National Energy Policy sets out a detailed plan that will allow the
residents and businesses of Cayman to join forces to create a
sustainable future for our future generations. This can be achieved
if we all work together. The Policy identifies four goals which, if
met, will meet the aspirations of the people of the Cayman Islands
and will secure our future”, Ms. Augustine said.

The
four overarching goals included in the policy are:

Goal
1: Knowledge and Education

The
people of the Cayman Islands will be well educated and knowledgeable
on the impact of energy demand on the environment of the Islands and
continuously embrace opportunities to increase the levels of
sustainable energy solutions in the supply mix and improve efficiency
in energy usage. The achievement of this goal has been set in motion
with the launch of the Energy
Cayman
campaign.

Goal
2: Destination of excellence

The
Cayman Islands will continually strive to demonstrate leadership in
the development and implementation of innovative, well researched,
environmentally sensitive, and sustainable energy opportunities where
appropriate to small-island states and archipelagos.

Goal
3: Energy security

The
Cayman Islands will have a modern energy infrastructure ensuring that
energy supplies are produced and distributed competitively, safely,
reliably, efficiently and affordably supported by a governance
framework of effective and responsive regulation, fuel security,
environmental sensitivity and sustainable development.

Goal
4: Socioeconomic and environmental sustainability

The
Cayman Islands will foster and promote the development and
application of existing and new technologies, practices in
sustainable energy solutions and the development of a sustainable
energy industry reflecting its commitment to the socioeconomic
wellbeing of its people and to its international and local
obligations relating to climate change and environmental
sustainability.

In
order to achieve these goals successfully, the Energy Policy
Coordinator is undergoing extensive research to identify
opportunities for innovation that are achievable and beneficial for
Cayman. Substantial groundwork is underway to develop more
sustainable solutions around the following action points:

o   Implementing
new building codes to improve sustainability and energy efficiency

o   Utilising
land more efficiently for building and development

o   Installing
sustainable and environmentally friendly utility scale solar farms

o   Finding
alternative fuel opportunities to replace diesel

o   Developing
infrastructure to
accommodate more electric vehicles

o   Identifying
processes for the implementation of renewable energy

o   Introducing
green loans through banks to support solar installation

For
further information on the National Energy Policy, you can visit
www.energy.gov.ky.
or follow @EnergyCayman on social media.

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