The delivery of more water and hydroelectricity are key among Jamaica’s climate resilience plans, according to Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

Speaking on the topic of “Infrastructural Development” at the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) Engineers’ Week 2023 conference, Samuda noted that “to deal with the scourge of climate change, there will be nature-based solutions, but there will also have to be engineering solutions as well. To this effect, Jamaica has been putting in place several elements of our national adaptation plan, but there can be no doubt that we will require a significant increase in the pace and scale of project deployment if it is to be in line with its 2030 climate resilience targets”.

National adaptation plans are strategies developed by countries and filed under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change programme, with the expectation that projects which facilitate the adaptation strategies will receive funding through the Green Climate Fund. One of the key aspects of climate resilience covered by Jamaica’s adaptation plan is our water adaptation strategy, with the Mahogany Vale Project being one of several means of execution.

“The Mahogany Vale project is an integrated water adaptation project with the potential of providing significant water supply for Kingston and St Andrew, and would also function as a hydroelectric power generation project for future generations,” noted Samuda.

Other major infrastructure and engineering projects under the water adaptation strategy include the National Non-Revenue Water Programme; sustained investments in the capacity of our irrigation systems such as the Pedro Plains Irrigation System; investments in decentralised storage at community levels; the floating solar plant at the mona reservoir; and the upgrading of processing capacity at approximately 100 pumping stations.

The minister’s presentation was among those made by renowned engineers whose work and impact have improved our economy, helped to build financial security and, in a more micro sense, have improved the standard of living of the average Jamaican.

This year’s event was made possible through the immense support from partners including: NCB Insurance Agency & Funds Managers Limited; N.O.Whyte & Associates Ltd.; South China Construction & Engineering Limited; SJE Consultants Limited; National Supply; Delta Supply Co. Ltd.; ARC; Champion Industrial Equipment & Supplies Ltd; Proven Properties; EdgeChem Paints; BH Paints; The Port Authority of Jamaica; and ATL Automotive Group.