Dennis Minott | Speech from conceit versus speech from evidence: Jamaica’s energy dilemma

Published: Sunday | September 22, 2024 | 5:00 PM

There is a widening gap in Jamaica’s energy discourse, and it is not just about the growing disparity between renewable energy proponents and those clinging to the fossil-fuel-driven status quo.

This gap, more critically, lies between those who speak from a place of conceit and those who speak from evidence. As someone who has spent over 50 years in the trenches of energy science and technology, I find it not only disappointing but alarming that this gap threatens our nation’s progress. The consequences of unchecked power structures — monopolies, political favouritism, and self-serving narratives — are all too visible in Jamaica’s energy sector. Yet the very voices that should be leading the charge for change are increasingly drowned out by empty rhetoric.

NATURE OF CONCEIT

Conceit, in this context, is a form of arrogance that disguises itself as expertise. It presents personal opinion and self-interest as fact, often with the added gloss of authority that comes from wealth, influence, or political power. This is not an abstract concept, but a reality that plays out in our

corporate boardrooms, in political offices, and at high-end dinner tables (likely on very large yachts VLYs) where energy and other far reaching decisions are made (for selfish profit) far removed from the lives of ordinary Jamaicans on land-holdings previously "acquisitted" by overt slave owners.

The illusion of knowledge, wrapped in corporate interests and political posturing, presents itself as the solution to Jamaica’s energy woes. Those who hold the reins of power — who sit comfortably within the corridors of influence — too often issue pronouncements that masquerade as policy but are rooted in self-serving conceit. It is a discourse that revolves around short-term profits, appeasing powerful stakeholders, and preserving the monopolistic structures that have kept our energy sector in chains.

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) monopoly is a prime example of this, and many have been left wondering if the rush to diversify Jamaica’s energy supply is merely an effort to replace one form of control with another. The voices from within the monopoly, as well as from those in Government who benefit from the status quo, are often quick to paint renewable energy initiatives in broad, positive strokes. Yet, upon closer inspection, many of these efforts remain stunted, hampered by the same old-same old dynamics that prioritise profit over people.

EVIDENCE BASED DISCOURSE

In stark contrast to this conceit is evidence-based speech, which draws from verifiable facts, transparent methodologies, and a commitment to the public good. Speech from evidence doesn’t seek to glorify the speaker or their stakeholders. Instead, it focuses on the outcomes for those who will be directly affected — the everyday citizens, communities, and industries that rely on a fair, affordable, and reliable energy system.

Evidence is not afraid of scrutiny; it thrives on it. For Jamaica, this means that we need a much deeper and more honest exploration of our energy options. What are the environmental, economic, and social impacts of various energy strategies? How will the introduction of renewable resources affect local job markets, consumer prices, and energy equity? These are the kinds of questions that should guide our decision-making, and they require not only technical answers, but also community-driven input.

There is a wealth of research and real-world data from countries that have successfully transitioned to more sustainable energy grids, and we must draw from these lessons. Rather than reinventing the wheel or relying on inflated promises from those who already control too much of the energy pie, we need to engage with independent experts, conduct thorough impact assessments, and involve the public in the process.

BEYOND THE STATEROOM OR BOARDROOM BUBBLE

Jamaica’s energy discussions frequently happen behind closed doors, disconnected from the very people who are most affected by energy policy — the average Jamaican citizen. It is in these boardrooms that speeches from conceit thrive. Here, ideas are shaped by a select few who may never have faced a blackout that ruins an entire day’s work or been forced to pay more than they can or should afford for basic electricity.

The everyday Jamaican’s voice is lost in the skanking, and the consequences of this exclusion are severe. When communities aren’t consulted, the human side of energy — the families, small businesses, the jerk centers and farmers — is sidelined. What we end up with is a policy environment where economic growth is touted at the expense of environmental degradation or where renewable energy is introduced without regard for how it will affect those living in poverty.

The energy future of our nation should not be dictated by those insulated from its real-world effects OR by the “beautifully acquisitive” hombres. Genuine public engagement is critical. This means going beyond the token gestures of holding a single town hall meeting or publishing a glossy report. True participation involves listening to the grievances and concerns of the public, offering multiple opportunities for input, and creating accountability structures that ensure that public contributions are meaningfully incorporated into decision-making processes.

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

We must demand transparency from those who claim to hold the answers to our energy crisis. Conceit often flourishes in environments where decisions are made behind opaque walls, where data is selectively shared or manipulated to serve specific narratives. Transparency means opening up the data, making the analysis behind major energy decisions publicly accessible, and subjecting all claims to independent expert review.

We have already seen too many examples of inflated promises falling flat – don’t let me start listing six more. Back to energy. The public has a right to know how energy projections are being made, what assumptions underpin the costs of various energy options, and how long-term plans will actually deliver benefits to all — not just the wealthy and entitled few.

Clear accountability mechanisms must be in place. Jamaica cannot afford to follow a path where energy policies are treated as political footballs, changing from administration to administration, with little continuity or oversight. Energy is a public good, and we need decision-makers who understand the gravity of their responsibilities. Those who make promises about good project outcomes must be held to account when those promises aren’t delivered.

WAY FORWARD

As Jamaica navigates its energy future, we cannot afford to place our trust in the hands of those who speak from greed-based conceit. We need leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders who are committed to fact-based, transparent, and participatory decision-making. Evidence-based approaches must guide every aspect of our energy transition — from the technologies we adopt, to the timelines we set, to the financial models we choose.

Jamaica’s energy future can be brighter, greener, and more equitable. But this future will not be built by lofty speeches or self-interested decisions made by the powerful few even via Disqus or other social media platforms. It will be built through genuine public engagement, rigorous analysis, and a commitment to justice and equity in energy access.

As citizens, we must demand this. It is not enough to sit on the sidelines and hope for better. We must insist on substance over style, evidence over conceit. Only then can we create an energy system that truly serves the needs of all Jamaicans, not just the privileged few.

Dennis Minott, PhD, is the CEO of A-QuEST-FAIR and leader of Verde Siempre. He is a multilingual green resources specialist, a research physicist, a multi-patent part owner, and a modest mathematician who worked in the oil and renewable energy production sectors. Send feedback to a_quest57@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com