Former Uruguay National Director of Energy to share insights on Jamaica’s path to a more resilient energy future

The Maurice Facey Lecture returns for its sixth instalment on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, under the theme “Breaking the Grid: Charting Jamaica’s Path to Renewable Energy.” 

This year’s lecture will feature internationally acclaimed energy transition expert Dr. Ramón Méndez Galain, widely recognised for leading Uruguay’s groundbreaking transformation into one of the world’s leading renewable energy economies.

Hosted at the Jamaica Conference Centre beginning at 4:00 PM, the 2026 Lecture will examine the opportunities, challenges, and policy decisions shaping Jamaica’s renewable energy future at a time when the country is actively pursuing ambitious national energy goals. The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s lecture comes at a particularly important moment for Jamaica’s energy sector. As the nation navigates heightened global fuel volatility and works to strengthen its infrastructure against increasing climate and grid vulnerabilities, the conversation around energy independence has taken on new urgency. Jamaica currently derives nearly 88% of its electricity generation from imported fossil fuels, while electricity prices remain among the highest regionally.

At the same time, the Government has committed to a national target of achieving 50% renewable energy generation by 2030 – a transition widely viewed as essential to improving national competitiveness, strengthening energy security, and reducing long-term costs for consumers and businesses alike.

This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Ramón Méndez Galain, is internationally recognized as a global leader in renewable energy transformation and climate policy. His pioneering work has earned him widespread international acclaim, including being named by Fortune magazine as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders and receiving both the prestigious Carnot Prize in 2023 and the Climate Breakthrough Award in 2025. As Uruguay’s National Director of Energy from 2008 to 2015, he led the country’s historic energy transition, resulting in 98% of Uruguay’s electricity generation coming from renewable sources – including approximately 40% from wind energy – while simultaneously cutting electricity generation costs by half. Uruguay is now widely regarded as one of the world’s most successful renewable energy models.

Dr Méndez Galain later served as Uruguay’s Secretary of Climate Change, where he played a leading role in negotiations surrounding the Paris Climate Agreement. He has also served as Chairman of the Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and as a board member of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Since March 2025, he has served as President of REN21, the global renewable energy policy network, while also leading Fundación Ivy, a think tank advising governments and private sector organisations on accelerating renewable energy adoption and sustainable development strategies.

Stephen Facey, Chairman of the Pan Jamaica Group and C.B. Facey Foundation, shared, “The Maurice Facey Lecture Series has always sought to spark meaningful conversations about Jamaica’s future by engaging local audiences with global expertise and transformative ideas. Ramón’s experience demonstrates that an ambitious renewable energy transition is achievable, even for relatively small nations, and his insights will be invaluable as Jamaica charts its own path forward.”

Established in 2019 to honour the late Hon. Maurice Facey, OJ, JP – a pioneer of Kingston’s modern skyline and a passionate advocate for transformative urban development – the Maurice Facey Lecture Series brings together globally respected thinkers to explore issues critical to Jamaica’s development. Over the years, the series has evolved into a high-level platform connecting global innovation with local policy conversations, engaging audiences of government ministers, private sector leaders, urban planners, academics, and development professionals.

Gayon Douglas, Executive Director of the C.B. Facey Foundation, noted, “Beyond the public address, we have structured a series of surrounding events around the lecture week designed to facilitate direct, high-touch dialogues between Dr Méndez Galain and key local stakeholders, policymakers, and industry practitioners. Our goal is to ensure that his profound global experiences can serve as a practical resource as our local leadership continues to shape and implement Jamaica’s sustainable energy strategies.”

Hosted by the Pan Jamaica Group and the C. B. Facey Foundation, the annual event underscores both organisations’ commitment to national development. This year’s sponsors include the ROK Hotel, Caribbean Policy Research Institute, Urban Development Corporation, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, and the Jamaican Institute of Architects.