Six Caribbean Islands, namely Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Saint Maarten, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands – will benefit from an 18-month project designed to build the energy resilience of these islands while reducing their climate vulnerability.
The CARILEC Resiliency and Energy Efficiency Project (CAREEP) was designed around the theme of ‘Overcoming Disruptions in times of Crisis: Weathering Social and Financial Impact of COVID-19 on the Electricity Sector’. It is being implemented by the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) with funding from the RESEMBID Programme to the tune of €467,715.
The Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID) is funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France – the development cooperation agency of the Government of France and supports sustainable human development efforts in 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) – Aruba, Anguilla, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Montserrat, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos.
Launched on February 10th, 2022, the CARILEC Resiliency and Energy Efficiency Project (CAREEP) aims to strengthen economic resilience and reduce the financial vulnerability of the Caribbean’s electricity sector.
CAREEP was conceptualized to address two critical threats facing the region- the vulnerability towards climate change and the financial impacts of global crises such as COVID-19. The project specifically targets energy affordability for residential customers. It focuses on low-income households, as well as Electric Utilities, Energy Service providers and out-of-work professionals formerly employed within the tourism sector. The Project aims include mainstreaming energy conservation measures and technologies, as well as building capacities for new and innovative energy services, by diversifying the skills of the local workforce. This will be coupled with efforts to create new business opportunities around sustainable and innovative energy services.
The project which commenced in January 2022 will involve several interventions in the six overseas countries territories (OCTs). These include the implementation of a regional public education and awareness programme centred on household energy conservation measures, as well as online trainings for professionals on the provision of new sustainable energy services. An e-learning platform, developed and operated under the Project, will train and guide Caribbean households to conduct energy self-audits and to reduce their monthly electricity bill. Alongside representatives from CARILEC Member utilities, RESEMBID and government technical focal points the project aims to develop a set of policy recommendations to establish enabling frameworks for sustainable energy services.
Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation
Fabian McKinnon, RESEMBID Programme Director said, “The availability of predictably priced electricity is crucial as it facilitates the reliable functioning of economic processes and improves the standard of living of consumers. CAREEP is therefore pivotal at this time, considering the region’s vulnerability towards climate change and its significant untapped potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency. RESEMBID is proud to support and work with CARILEC to these critical achieve project aims.”
The project is being facilitated by CARILEC Project Managers Thomas Mitschke and Alana Raymond. CARILEC experts will also be supported by RESEMBID Programme Manager Nnyeka Prescod and external specialists during the implementation.
About CARILEC:
The Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation (CARILEC) is an association of energy solution providers and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean. CARILEC was established in 1989 with nine (9) members as part of an electric Utilities modernization project funded by USAID and implemented by NRECA under a five-year “Co-operative Agreement.” Currently, CARILEC comprises over one hundred members. This includes thirty-three (33) Full Members that are electric Utilities, and over eighty (80) Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Associate and Affiliate Members that are companies involved in some aspect of servicing the electric Utility business.
About RESEMBID:
The Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID) commenced operations on 1st January 2019 and supports the sustainable human development efforts of the 12 Caribbean OCTs, namely: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and SaintBarthélemy.
Financed under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean OCT Regional Programme, RESEMBID is being implemented by Expertise France, with the primary stakeholders being the 12 Caribbean OCTs.