3 weeks ago
11
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced a new JMD$9.2 million partnership with the Australia to establish three additional solar energy centres in fishing communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
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The initiative builds on two solar-powered community centres delivered last week to Parottee and Galleon Beach in St. Elizabeth. When completed, the number of solar energy centres supported by UNDP will rise to five, with more planned for other fishing villages affected by the storm.
UNDP Resident Representative Kishan Khoday said the agency intends to replicate and scale similar climate-smart solutions across vulnerable communities. Speaking at handover ceremonies in Parottee and Galleon Beach on Friday, he said the systems demonstrate how clean energy can support recovery and strengthen resilience.
“Though modest in scale, these systems send a strong message: clean energy can support livelihoods, strengthen food security, and help communities recover stronger than before,” Khoday stated, adding that the project reflects UNDP’s focus on rebuilding in ways that reduce future risk and support sustainable development.
More than 300 fishers who lost their livelihoods to Hurricane Melissa are already benefiting from the two completed centres, which provide cold storage to preserve catch, Starlink internet access and charging stations powered entirely by solar energy. The facilities serve about 250 fishers in Parottee and 50 in Galleon and are equipped with photovoltaic panels generating 5,600 watts of energy, lithium battery storage, internet connectivity and chest freezers. Two boat engines were also handed over for shared use among fishers in Galleon.
Donated by UNDP in partnership with the National Fisheries Authority and the Jamaica 4H Foundation under the Jamaica Resilient Recovery Initiative (JARRI), the centres provide clean, affordable energy at no cost to fishing communities and address post-harvest losses caused by prolonged power outages after the hurricane.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green welcomed the initiative and called for model mobile solar-powered centres to be installed in fishing villages across the island to support livelihoods and strengthen food security. He said rebuilding livelihoods is central to restoring hurricane-impacted communities and requires strong partnerships.
Minister of State Franklin Witter described the solar centres as critical in reducing post-harvest losses while the power grid remains out of service in some areas, adding that the facilities will help build long-term resilience as climate risks intensify.
National Fisheries Authority Chief Executive Officer Gavin Bellamy said the solar facilities represent another step toward recovery and long-term resilience for affected fishing communities, noting that the authority continues to provide immediate relief such as replacement supplies and assistance with licensing and registration.
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The solar-powered solutions form part of UNDP’s broader Jamaica Resilient Recovery Initiative, which also includes livelihoods recovery, home repair advisory services and resilient community planning.
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