Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness calls the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Limited for the advancement of nuclear technologies adoption a pivotal moment in Jamaica’s energy transformation.
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Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness (third from left on the back row) and Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz (front row, left), watch as Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Olive Wilson Cross, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories CEO Jack Craig and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited President and CEO Fred Dermarker sign the MoU (Image: Yhomo Hutchinson/Government of Jamaica)
The partnership reflects the Jamaican government’s commitment to diversify the country’s energy portfolio with new, clean and sustainable alternatives, Holness said.
In an address to the signing ceremony, Holness said countries such as France and Canada “show that with proper regulation of the technology and the embrace of technological advancement, nuclear can be a game changer. In fact, today’s nuclear technology, especially small modular reactors, is far safer and more adaptable than it was in the past”.
He said that small modular reactors offer enhanced safety features, reduced environmental impact and a cost-effective solution for small countries like Jamaica, and taking advantage of such technology could provide long-term benefits.
“Of course, there are those who are going to say, why not wait until this technology is mature,” Holness said. “The problem is that anything that has to do with nuclear requires a long period of time and it requires the development of local capabilities. If you don’t do it now, then not only will you have to import the capital and the actual small modular nuclear reactor, you’re going to have to import the technological skills and expertise as well, which will increase the cost of deployment.”
Jamaica is the home to the Caribbean’s first – and only – research reactor, the AECL-designed JM-1 pool type reactor at the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus which began operating in 1984.
The collaboration with the two Canadian organisations will foster the sharing of knowledge, skills and best practices, driving innovation in research, development and practical applications, Science, Energy Telecommunications and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said. “Together we will build out a network of expertise that will benefit both Jamaica and Canada. Through organised seminars and meetings, we will ensure that our professionals remain at the forefront of nuclear technology and its peaceful applications,” he said.
Jamaica currently relies on fossil fuels for some 85% of its energy, a dependency that leaves it vulnerable to external shocks and global oil and gas price fluctuations, Holness said: “We have already made great strides in diversifying our energy mix. We have done exceptionally well in integrating solar, wind and natural gas and we do have some hydroelectric power… but there is far more to be done. Given Jamaica’s current energy demands, we are cognisant that there has to be a very well-thought-out mix… that is not subject to intermittency, and nuclear offers that as well.”
Jamaica is a signatory of the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050 launched at the UN’s COP28 climate change conference in 2023.