Joint IRENA-CARILEC workshop “Accelerating Renewable Energy Developments within the Caribbean”
IRENA held a workshop, “Accelerating Renewable Energy Developments within the Caribbean” on 17 September in Bermuda ahead of the Renewable Energy Forum 2012 organised by the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC). More than 50 participants, including representatives from the Caribbean utilities, technical experts and financing institutions gathered to discuss the specific challenges and opportunities for Caribbean islands, including regional, technical and financial issues, to successfully deploy renewable energy in the region.
The workshop – organised in collaboration with CARILEC as part the IRENA Renewable Energy Islands Initiative (iREii) – highlighted the current status and lessons learned by different Caribbean utilities with renewable projects, including geothermal, hydropower and wind energy. It also provided an opportunity to discuss how IRENA can best contribute to accelerating renewable energy deployment the region.
Adopting renewable energy technologies (RETs) on a larger scale is the key to reducing high dependence on imported fossil fuels and achieving sustainable development in the region, workshop participants concurred. Interconnection among neighbouring islands with geothermal as the primary fuel source for power generation offers an economically and technically viable opportunity to promote large-scale renewable development at regional and sub-regional levels.
However, small project size is often a barrier to investment, including financing as well as for competitive tenders for project implementation. An appropriate regulatory framework is needed to ensure accelerated investment and development of renewable projects. In terms of technical challenges, grid stability must be considered when integrating RETs on a large scale into existing grids.
IRENA needs to work closely with existing initiatives and regional organisations to ensure a sustainable and collaborative overall approach, participants said. The region can benefit from the promotion of best practices in RET deployment.
Insights gained from the workshop – IRENA’s first event in the Caribbean region – will influence the IRENA Work Programme for the Caribbean in 2013.
CARILEC’s activities for the RE/EE development in the Caribbean
Gary Jackson, CARILEC
Roland Roesch, IRENA
Workshop introduction
Roland Roesch, IRENA
Session 1: Current status, challenges and opportunities of RE deployment in the Caribbean islands
RE deployment in the Caribbean islands: CARICOM approach
Robert Stoddard, CARICOM
RE deployment in the Caribbean islands: CREDP approach
Thomas Scheutzlich, Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP)/GIZ
RE deployment in the Caribbean islands: OLADE approach
Fernando Caldas, OLADE
RE deployment in the Caribbean islands: NREL approach
Adam Warren, NREL
Session 2: Case studies and technology solutions for RE deployment in the Caribbean: Panel Discussion
Hydro power generation in Dominica
Frankie Lowe, Dominica Electricity Services Ltd., (DOMLEC)
Geothermal energy in Dominica
Jason Timothy, Ministry of Energy, Ports & Public Works, Commonwealth of Dominica
Impact of RE application in the generation of electricity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the challenges for future deployment of RE technologies
Thornley O. A. O. Myers, St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC)
LUCELEC’S sustainable energy experience
Trevor Louisy, St Lucia Electricity Services Ltd. (LUCELEC)
Efficiency Improvements & Renewable Energy Deployment
Marlon A. Francis Ras, WEB Aruba
Renewable development in Jamaica: areas for IRENA assistance
Michelle Chin Lenn, Wigton Windfarm Limited
Session 3: Financing opportunities for RE deployment in the Caribbean - Panel Discussion
CAF on Renewable Energy
Alvaro Atilano, CAF
Financing RE in the Caribbean, EIB’s model and experience
Yves Ferreira, European Investment Bank
From Vision towards Bankable Renewable Energy Projects - St. Kitts and Nevis Example
Kevin De Cuba, Organization of American States
World Bank Financing and Technical Assistance
Andres Londono, World Bank