Dr Ruth Potopsingh
Ruth Potopsingh has a distinguished career in energy , environmental management, development planning, corporate governance and policy development. A graduate of the University of the West Indies and the University of London, she holds a PhD in Sustainable Development, an EMBA and an MSc in Urban Development Planning. A Commonwealth Scholar, her passion is for sustainable development in the face of a global climate crisis. She was awarded by CARICOM as an outstanding woman in sustainable energy 2023 .
She has over thirty-five years’ experience in the energy sector, most of which were at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) where her ultimate position was Group Managing Director. There, she led National Energy Efficiency and Conservation programs; spearheaded the national program which saw the removal of lead in gasoline and introduction of two octane grades of gasoline. She was to later work on realizing 10% ethanol in gasoline in a bid to see cleaner fuels in the local market .
Her work in the petroleum sector saw the introduction of several environmental standards and regulations ranging from fuel quality to oil spill contingency planning and the prevention of ground water contamination. Her environmental commitment positioned her well to advance for Jamaica’s renewable energy transition from its inception. Preparing the first Bioenergy Resources Assessment for Jamaica she initiated research in 5 species of fast-growing trees to address deforestation as a result of the increased use of charcoal for cooking. She pioneered the Jamaica Solar Energy Association to stimulate commercial interest in the industry and was part of the decision to build the first commercial wind farm at Wigton.
Dr Potopsingh was a key player in the advancement of Jamaica’s National Energy Policy 2009 -2030 and its draft sub policies as well as a contributor to Vison 2020, Jamaica’s National Development Plan.
Transitioning from corporate Jamaica to academia in 2010 she joined the University of Technology, Jamaica where she was Associate Vice President- Sustainable Energy. There she forged local, Caribbean Regional and International alliances to highlight the nexus between energy and climate change and introduced a cutting edge Master’s degree program in Sustainable Energy and Climate Change . She participated in a number of international sponsored research projects and managed a green hydrogen project, a Global Fuel Economy project for the Government of Jamaica . At the university she obtained sponsorship from the JPS which installed a 100 kilowatt solar system which is a first step for the wider adoption of renewable energy on the Papine Campus engaging students and staff in energy management as volunteers. Dr Potopsingh is currently a consultant in energy and environment.