AS OF August 1 a range of 30 energy saving products will become GCT and import duty exempt, a move which Government hopes will encourage greater public take-up while reducing the national import fuel bill.
Dr. Cezley Sampson, adviser to the Prime Minister on energy, had prepared the list of products in tandem with the national energy policy. The policy focuses on energy efficiency and a target to increase the level of electricity generation coming from renewable sources from six to 15 per cent by 2020.
However, opposition at CARICOM level by Dominica and Barbados, who produce solar water heaters, prevented that product from gaining an exemption.
Making the announcement during his Budget presentation in Parliament on Tuesday, Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Pauwell, said the exemptions would cost Government an estimated $487 million in lost taxation revenue.
He noted, however, that if the public seized the opportunity, substantial savings could be made towards the national fuel import bill which, having reached US$1.33 billion in 2005, could reach US$1.5 billion this year.
Products to be tax-exempt as of August 1
Occupancy sensors, seven-day and 24-hour timers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, electronic fluorescent ballasts, solar dryers, water saving shower heads, flow restricters for water faucets, power factor correction capacitors, ice thermal storage air conditioning, air conditioning chillers with rotary screw compressors, polyurethane foam insulation for roofs, reflective films for glass windows, photovoltaic panels, charge controllers, safety disconnects, load breakers, negative bonding blocks, transfer switch, inverters, photovoltaic batteries, solar electric fans, solar electric refrigerators, wind turbines and support accessories, solar water pumping system and accessories, solar street and walkway lamps, parking area and security solar lighting system, brackets and mounts for solar lights, bulbs for solar powered system, lighting control unit.
The National Energy Policy green paper can be viewed online at: http://www.cabinet.gov.jm/
