CATEGORY:NATIONAL BUDGET CONSULTATION
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IN A SENSE, economic development is essentially the mobilization of various forms of energy, partly to replace human or animal work, partly for totally new uses. In a broad sense it is the lifeblood of the biosphere itself. The brief and dramatic explosion of industrial production in the last two hundred years has been based on the consumption of fossil fuels formed millions of years ago.

Energy is not just another element in the production process, it fuels our planet. Energy is the vital force powering business, manufacturing, and the transportation of goods and services to serve not just the American, but the entire world economies. Without energy expenditure, there cannot be any material movement in society. Hence, Energy is a measure of material movement in society.

For the above-mentioned reasons, energy use within countries has risen generally. Most of this increase in demand is based upon an enlarging need for various goods and services. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures all the goods and services produced, the GDP reflects consumer spending and has a relationship to energy consumption. Increases or decreases in the GDP generally lead to similar changes in consumer energy use.


Energy Sector
Grenada’s energy sector is characterized by its overwhelming dependence on imports of refined petroleum products to satisfy its increasing energy demand. In 2005 Grenada imported a total 604,181 barrels of refined petroleum products, that is, Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly referred to as, Cooking Gas.

An analysis of Grenada’s consumption of petroleum products by products shows that, a total of 639,021 barrels were consumed, With Diesel dominating with 54.3 % share, while Gasoline and LPG accounted for 32.9% and 7.6 % , respectively.

Energy imports as a percentage of total imports is approximately 12%, and as a % of domestic exports (prior to Hurricanes Ivan and Emily) represented in excess of 51%. This means that our energy imports are being financed by more than half of the foreign exchange earnings from domestic exports
Improving the energy choices we make!
The truth remains that energy in its various forms is essential for human life. Yet today, more than ever, there are more discrepancies than at any other time in the history of mankind [societies] in access to energy, in their material standard of living, and in their potential for survival. This constitutes perhaps one of the greatest paradoxes of contemporary society. Despite the ability to find energy, to predict its potential, and use it, mankind could not forecast accurately its social consequences. Energy is understood scientifically. It is controlled technically, but society [mankind] has not mastered it as a major social; factor in contributing to more just and humane society.
Achievements for 2006:

The under-mentioned briefly summarizes some of the salient achievements of the Energy Division, Ministry of Agriculture …

 Negotiation of funding for the implementation of a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) project to supply an independent renewable source of electrical power to schools, medical clinics, government complexes, and police stations, in Grenada;

 Signing of the Petrocaribe Commercial Agreement in June, 2006, thus, paving the way for the commencement of trade under the petrocaribe umbrella;

 Receipt of technical assistance to facilitate the revision and finalization of the Draft Electricity Supply Act 2003. This Act will terminate Grenlec’s monopoly to generate and distribute electricity, thus opening doors for multiple players in the power generation sector, with a heavy bias for Renewable Energy Sources;

 Approval of the design for the Fuel Tank Farm or the storage of petroleum products under the Petrocaribe arrangements. This will be situated at Queen’s Park, St. George’s;

 Training of Customs, and Bureau of Standards Officers, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Technicians in the identification of Ozone Depleting Substances, and Good A/C and Refrigeration Practices, as required by the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances;

 Participation in Workshop on the Feasibility of Regional Regulation for Electricity Sector of the OECS.

 Completion of household survey for donation of energy efficient lights from Cuba, and the submission of a request for 10,000 energy efficient compact fluorescent lights, in conjunction with the Climate Institute, Washington, from the Climate Care Institute based in London.


Prospects for 2007 and Beyond:

 The success in the Arbitration Proceedings between the Government of Grenada and RSM, thus paving the way for multiple and new players in the area of petroleum exploration and development;

 The conducting of Energy Audits in the governmental sector (complexes, institutions, etc.);

 Revision of Grenada’s Energy Policy and development of a Sustainable Action Plan;

 Implementation of Solar PV project in Schools, Police Stations, and Medical Clinics;

 Continued Public Awareness and Education with respect to Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency, and Good Refrigeration/AC Practices;

 Continued distribution of Energy Efficient Lights, Statewide, with priority to the residential sector;

 Finalization of the Draft Electricity Supply Act 2003, with technical assistance from the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Project (CREDP);

 Commencement of the construction of Tank Farm for the Storage of Petroleum Products under the Petrocaribe Arrangements.

 The initiation of trade in petroleum products under the Petrocaribe Agreement;

 The passage of the Montreal Protocol Act for the Protection of the environment from Ozone Depleting substances;

 Continued Training of Customs Officers, Brokers, Air-conditioning and refrigeration Technicians in Best Practices and Hydrocarbon Technology.


Human Values, Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection !!

The degree to consumers conserve energy depends directly upon their attitudes and values concerning energy and the environment the process of conserving energy by the public must be continuous to be effective. Changing values is not only necessary for consumers, but also for business, government and industrial leaders, if energy conservation to be successful. When energy conservation is a high priority (major policy decision), then programmes on national, and community levels can be incorporated.

Economics, human values, and technological advancements have had a direct effect, and positive impact on energy conservation. It has promoted and encouraged:

1. Saving thermal energy that normally would become random;
2. Rational use of energy – utilizing energy to its best advantage;
3. Using less energy per individual or person;
4. Improving efficiencies in energy conversion technologies;
5. Operating technology/systems/devices at their best efficiency characteristics.
6. The availability of more and more energy efficient appliances.