Matching renewal energy sources to rural development needs : a prototype design for a rural community development center for Jamaica, W.I.

Abstract

The opportunities for utilizing Jamaica/s rich supply of renewable energy resources as a base for stead, environmentally sound rural development is tremendous. This thesis explores as way of tapping this potential. Jamaica's current plans for both energy and rural community development are reviewed and general suggestions offered as to how the necessary integration of the two plans can be achieved for short and long term energy conscious planning and program implementation. The focus of the proposal is on the development of Rural Community Development Centers that would be designed to build a renewable energy infrastructural base for the specific communities and generally respond to the energy, educational and productive needs as they change over time.