Fitzroy Vidal Moderates Influential Panel on Policy, Finance, and Regulation at Jamaica’s Green Hydrogen Launch and Workshop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fitzroy Vidal, Vice President for Project Management and Climate at Sunterra Energy, served as moderator for Panel 1 of the National Green Hydrogen Project Launch and Workshop

Kingston, Jamaica – July 1, 2025 – Mr. Fitzroy Vidal, Vice President for Project Management and Climate at Sunterra Energy, served as moderator for Panel 1 of the National Green Hydrogen Project Launch and Workshop, under the theme "Towards Development of a National Green Hydrogen Strategy for Jamaica" held at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel Kingston Jamaica.

The panel, titled “Enabling Policies, Financial Mechanisms, and Regulatory Pathways for a Thriving Green Hydrogen Economy,” brought together some of the most respected thought leaders from government, regulatory agencies, and development finance institutions.

Mr. Vidal, a seasoned energy and climate professional, provided strategic guidance to the panel, which featured:

• Mr. Omar Alcock, Acting Principal Director, Climate Change Branch, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC)

• Ms. Cheryl Lewis, Deputy Director-General, Legal and Consumer & Public Affairs, Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR)

• Mr. Sekou Mark, Head of English-Speaking Caribbean, International Finance Corporation (IFC)

• Mr. Gerard Alleng, Climate Change Senior Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Under Mr. Vidal’s expert moderation, the panel explored the critical building blocks needed to unlock Jamaica’s green hydrogen potential—including enabling policies, investment realities, regulatory readiness, and systemic integration across sectors. The session offered a balanced exchange of perspectives, combining technical depth with visionary leadership.

Key highlights from the session included:

• Government Strategy: Mr. Omar Alcock detailed Jamaica’s net-zero ambitions and emphasized the government’s role in fostering a supportive environment for innovation and climate resilience.

• Financing Challenges: Mr. Sekou Mark candidly addressed the difficulty of financing green hydrogen projects, while highlighting the IFC’s current investments and willingness to support market development.

• Regulatory Pathways: Ms. Cheryl Lewis affirmed Jamaica’s energy-neutral legal framework and explained how the existing system can accommodate green hydrogen without major reform.

• Systems Thinking: Mr. Gerard Alleng urged stakeholders to view hydrogen as part of an integrated economy, emphasizing certification, infrastructure interdependencies, and derivative markets like green ammonia.

  
  

Mr. Vidal’s facilitation was pivotal in synthesizing these insights and steering the discussion toward actionable strategies for Jamaica’s emerging hydrogen economy. His probing questions and closing reflections challenged panelists and participants alike to consider the trade-offs, risks, and bold leadership needed to advance this transformative agenda.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Jamaica is among seven countries participating in the regional initiative Advancing a Regional Approach Towards the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by UNEP. The project aims to create an enabling environment to foster the development of a regional green hydrogen economy and to build the capacity of participating countries to attract investment, develop policies, and implement strategic projects.

This workshop represents a national milestone in Jamaica’s green hydrogen journey, creating a platform for multi-stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning.

Media Contact:

Sherry DaRosa

Marketing & Communications

Email: sherry@sunterra.co