Jamaica Energy Internet Collaboration

Jamaica is advancing its energy resilience and internet connectivity through partnerships with the United States, private sector firms, and local organizations, combining renewable energy initiatives with digital infrastructure improvements.Internet Infrastructure InitiativesJamaica has been actively improving its digital ecosystem through initiatives like the Jamaica Internet Exchange Point (JAIXP), which was recently relaunched to enhance local internet traffic management. By keeping traffic local, JAIXP improves network resilience, reduces latency, and lowers costs for government, businesses, and citizens. The relaunch involved collaboration with the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) and included regional and international experts to strengthen interconnection and cybersecurity capabilities . Additionally, the government is leveraging TV white spaces (TVWS)—unused television spectrum—to provide wireless connectivity to rural communities, expanding internet access in underserved areas . The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Division of the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology supports these efforts by developing policies, administering licensing, and facilitating investment in ICT infrastructure, ensuring a modern and robust regulatory framework for telecommunications and internet governance .Energy Sector CollaborationIn the energy sector, Jamaica has partnered with the United States Government and private entities to implement clean and sustainable energy solutions. The Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance (JERA), supported by USAID, executed the Strengthening Energy Sector Resilience in Jamaica (SESR-Jamaica) project from 2021 to 2024. This initiative focused on accelerating the adoption of distributed solar photovoltaics (PV) and PV with storage (PV+) among Jamaican businesses. Over the project period, 23 businesses installed PV/PV+ systems across 36 facilities, totaling 2.4 MW of solar capacity and 2.4 MWh of storage, while nearly 100 students and energy professionals received accredited training . Private sector contributions include Digicel Jamaica's partnership with Caban Energy, aiming to power up to 40% of its cell sites with solar energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing network reliability against extreme weather events .Integrated ImpactThese combined efforts in energy and internet infrastructure aim to:Strengthen resilience against natural disasters and power disruptions.Improve digital connectivity and efficiency for businesses, government, and citizens.Promote renewable energy adoption, reducing operational costs and carbon footprint.Enhance cybersecurity and local data management through improved internet exchange and monitoring. Overall, Jamaica's collaboration with international partners, private companies, and local institutions represents a strategic approach to sustainable development, integrating clean energy solutions with robust digital infrastructure to support economic growth and societal resilience .