Nominations for the awards are open until 31 August 2025.
Organised by the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), these awards aim to recognise the important roles that women and youth play in the energy sector as professionals, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and consumers. The awards also seek to highlight the importance of gender diversity to enhance the success of the clean energy transition.
WISE honours women who are committed to the energy transition and have made significant contributions to their communities at national, regional, and international levels in public, private, and civil society sectors. The categories under which those submissions will be judged are: Business/Entrepreneurship; Social Impact, Community and Advocacy; Policy and Regulations; and Utilities and Industry.
SEYA targets persons between the ages of 16 and 35 who exhibit innovation, creativity, and dedication to their communities by advocating for and actively participating in the energy transition at local, national, regional levels across public, private, and civil society sectors.
Nomination forms for Caribbean citizens and residents are available here.
The awards will be presented at the 9th Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF IX), to be held in Grenada from 28-30 October 2025.
]]>The landmark ‘Scaling up the Deployment of Integrated Utility Services (IUS) to Support Energy Sector Transformation in the Caribbean (Phase 1) Programme‘ will accelerate the adoption of distributed renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other clean energy technologies. It is expected to benefit 40,700 people across Barbados, Belize and Jamaica.
This is the first CDB programme approved by the GCF, and signals a joint commitment to expand access to sustainable, affordable, and resilient renewable energy, particularly as the Caribbean faces intensifying climate risks including storms, floods, and rising temperatures.
CDB President, Mr. Daniel Best, expressed gratitude to the GCF for its investment, stating, “We thank the Green Climate Fund for its strong partnership and steadfast support to advance sustainable development in the Caribbean. This programme will mark a major step forward in strengthening our region’s energy security through cleaner, more reliable, and affordable energy that reduces our dependence on imported fuels and builds long-term climate resilience for our communities.”
Chief Investment Officer of the GCF, Henry Gonzalez, added: “The Integrated Utility Services programme will support the energy transition in Caribbean Small Island Developing States, among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. The approval of this initiative demonstrates how GCF is supporting country ownership by strengthening local institutions to deliver resilient, low-carbon energy systems.”
The Bank will lead implementation with national and regional partners to establish utility-led IUS models that reduce financial and technical barriers to the uptake of sustainable energy solutions. Participating utility companies will offer integrated sustainable energy services to their customers, including support for the procurement, installation, operation, and maintenance of key technologies. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience, utility customers will benefit from lower costs, reduced risks, and equitable access.
The six-year Phase 1 programme will deliver support in Barbados, Belize and Jamaica. The lessons learnt from this initial phase will be integrated into a subsequent Phase 2 programme through which CDB aims to replicate this support in other Caribbean countries.
Approved during the GCF Board’s 42nd meeting in Papa New Guinea on July 3, 2025, the programme will be supported by US$26,736,295 in financing from the GCF. CDB and other partners will contribute US$42,010,000 in loan and in-kind funding.
This initiative leverages the recent upgrade of the Bank’s GCF accreditation, which allows the Bank to develop/deliver GCF-financed initiatives up to US$250 million each.
CDB looks forward to engaging communities, utilities, financiers, and development partners during Phase 1, setting the stage for further scaling in subsequent phases. (Caribbean Development Bank Press Release)
About the Caribbean Development Bank
The Caribbean Development Bank is a regional financial institution established in 1970 to contribute to the harmonious economic growth and development of its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). In addition to the 19 BMCs, CDB’s membership includes four regional, non-borrowing members, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela, and five non-regional, non-borrowing members, Canada, China, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. CDB’s total assets in its Ordinary Capital Resources stood at US2.02 billion as at December 31, 2024, while it also manages US$1.40 billion of Special Funds Resources. The Bank is rated Aa1 Stable by Moody’s, AA+ Stable by Standard & Poor’s and AA+ Stable by Fitch Ratings. Learn more at caribank.org
]]>On 1 July 2025, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett and Germany’s Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency Dr. Christophe Eick, signed and exchanged diplomatic notes formalising cooperation in six areas including the circular economy, sustainable energy, biodiversity conservation, the Blue Economy, and capacity building for employment in emerging ‘green and blue’ sectors.
This strategic collaboration aims to tackle pressing regional challenges such as climate-sensitive waste management, climate-resilient energy supply, and the sustainable use of biodiversity and marine resources.
The initiative will also include support for technical assistance, institutional strengthening, and stakeholder training, particularly in tourism and agriculture, promoting innovative and circular approaches to development.
In the energy sector, this CARICOM-Germany partnership aims to enhance long-term strategies for transitioning to green energy, encourage investment in renewable projects, and promote decarbonised energy systems throughout the Region.
Similarly, biodiversity and ecosystems will be positioned as key contributors to sustainable development, with the CARICOM Secretariat positioned to receive support to help Member States implement the Caribbean Biodiversity Strategy.
Efforts to develop the blue economy are also expected to be advanced through initiatives focused on Marine Protected Areas and enhanced public-private cooperation for sustainable coastal development. It is anticipated that complementary training programmes will address skills gaps in the education sector, equipping the regional workforce with qualifications needed for employment in green and blue industries.
These important initiatives will be coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), further strengthening the longstanding development cooperation between CARICOM and Germany.
]]>As we prepare for the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, Prime Minister Holness has shared a message outlining his vision and priorities for the Community.
Please click below to view his message.
Under the agreements, the CDF will provide a total of US$15 million in concessional loan financing to DGPC, to support the construction and commissioning of the 10-megawatt geothermal plant in the Roseau Valley. CDF’s support complements financing and technical assistance from other regional and international partners, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to unlock the region’s renewable energy potential.
Once operational, the plant is expected to generate over 60% of Dominica’s electricity demand with clean, renewable energy – dramatically reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, lowering and stabilising electricity costs, and significantly cutting carbon emissions, a critical step in achieving the island’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
“This is a flagship project not just for Dominica, but for the entire Caribbean,” said Mr. Rodinald Soomer, Chief Executive Officer of the CARICOM Development Fund. “By unlocking the island’s geothermal potential, we are helping to deliver on the promise of energy security, affordability, and climate resilience for generations to come.”
Mr. Fred John, Managing Director of the Dominica Geothermal Development Company, welcomes CDF’s financial support to the project and the organisation’s commitment to regional sustainable development:
“This initiative is all about enabling responsible economic transformation for Dominica. This includes stabilization and lowering of electricity prices, and creating new green energy-based commercial activity.”
The geothermal plant is expected to come online by January 2026, creating local jobs, enhancing energy independence, and positioning Dominica as a model for renewable energy deployment within CARICOM.
Project at a glance:
- Total Project Cost: US$68.3 million
- CDF Contribution: US$15 million
- Capacity: 10 MW geothermal plant
- Location: Roseau Valley, Dominica
- Expected Impact: Increased renewable electricity share to 89%,
reduced electricity costs, strengthened energy security
About the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF)
The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) is the regional institution mandated to provide financial and technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions, and sectors within CARICOM. Through strategic investments and partnerships, CDF promotes economic development, trade expansion, and social progress across the Caribbean.
For more information, please contact:
CARICOM Development Fund
Email: info@caricomdf.org
Phone: +1 246-436-1849
CSEF is the biennial flagship regional platform for high-level clean energy dialogue. This year, it is being organised by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) in collaboration with the Government of Grenada.
The sessions will focus on accelerating investment, showcasing practical energy solutions, and deepening collaboration among stakeholders to chart a sustainable and inclusive energy path forward.
“We are excited for what lies ahead and remain committed to supporting Member States in delivering an energy future that is secure, climate-resilient, and economically transformative. Together, through strategic engagement and visionary leadership, we will continue to advance the Caribbean’s sustainable energy revolution,” said Ms. Sandra Britton, Programme Manager, Energy, CARICOM Secretariat.
CSEF has been held in the Region since 2008 with the last Forum being convened in 2023 in Kingston, Jamaica.
]]>“We are not interested in inheriting a planet in crisis wrapped in promises. We want to help manage it—now.”
This was the call to action from St Kitts and Nevis CARICOM Youth Ambassador (CYA), Aquanjé Robinson, during his remarks at the opening of the Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2025, which was held in St. Kitts and Nevis from 25 – 30 May.
The summit comprised a series of in-person events dedicated to advancing sustainable development across islands worldwide. Building upon the momentum of the 2024 SIDS4 Conference, the summit addressed the pressing challenges faced by island communities, focusing on water sustainability and the energy nexus, agricultural resilience and climate adaptation, Climate-Health Interactions, and Geothermal Energy.
Vanessa Burke, Dean and CYA for the Cayman Islands; Samantha Rampersad, CYA for Trinidad and Tobago and Vice Dean of Regional Initiatives; and Joshua Andall, CYA for Grenada, also participated in the summit.
Aquanjé strongly advocated for youth involvement in the Region’s strategy for climate resilience.
He stated, “We were born into this digital, climate-altered era. This age did not slowly reveal itself to us; it greeted us as a native land. How can we not be trusted to lead in the very world we were born to navigate?
So today, I issue a clarion call to leaders, policymakers, parliamentary secretaries and the like. Let spaces like these not end at speeches. Let them feed real policy. Let them open doors to planning, to budgeting, to impact. Exploitation is built into the DNA of humanity, and as long as we turn a blind eye to the vulnerable suffering under its oppression, we will never escape those origins. We’re not just leaders of tomorrow. We are capable contributors today.
Aquanjé provides an in-depth explanation of the importance of youth involvement in climate resilience below.
Mrs. Sandra Britton, Programme Manager and Mr. Brian Constantine, Project Officer of the CARICOM Secretariat’s Energy Unit, participated in the 17th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF), held in Miami, Florida, in May 2025. Their participation underscores CARICOM’s strategic focus on mobilising investments, accelerating the deployment of renewable energy technologies, and enhancing regional energy cooperation.
CREF is one of the largest annual forums that brings together regional and international leaders with a shared mission: to drive investment in clean, resilient, and self-sufficient energy grids throughout the Caribbean.
The Forum offered a valuable opportunity for engagement in high-level discussions on strengthening energy systems, unlocking sustainable financing mechanisms, and spotlighting cutting edge innovations. Its dynamic sessions and networking engagements helped to reinforce the urgency and ambition needed to scale up renewable energy adoption across CARICOM Member States
]]>SEYA is being offered for the first time and targets persons between the ages of 16 and 35 years, while the WISE award has been offered twice before. The awards seek to recognise the important roles of women and youth in the energy sector as professionals, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and consumers and highlight the importance of gender diversity to enhance the success of the clean energy transition.
The initiatives profile and celebrate women and youth who demonstrate dedication, innovation, creativity, and commitment to the community, by taking action on the energy transition at the community, national, regional, or international levels and in public, private, and civil society sectors.
Nominations will close on 28 February 2025. Thereafter, a panel of judges will review and shortlist the prospective honourees. The awards will be presented later this year.
Interested Caribbean citizens and residents may access additional information and nomination forms here.
]]>The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is pleased to join the rest of the world in observing International Day of Clean Energy, 26 January 2025.
Clean energy is fundamental to our survival as it helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat climate change, and minimise air and water pollution. It also promotes energy security, supports sustainable economic growth, and ensures a healthier environment for future generations.
The Region’s dedication to sustainable development and a cleaner, greener future is evident through many clean and renewable energy initiatives being undertaken across CARICOM Member States and through the work of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), a Community Institution. There is a concerted effort towards a unified approach to the sustainable energy transition through the CARICOM Energy Policy and the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS) both adopted in 2013. The approach is to utilise a well-balanced combination of the conventional and alternative energy resources available in the Region to advance sustainable development.
Collectively, the Region has pinpointed ambitious renewable energy targets in the C-SERMS. Beginning with a baseline of eight per cent in 2012, the initial aim was to reach 20 per cent by 2017, followed by 28 per cent by 2022, and a more substantial target of 47 per cent by 2027.
Member States are actively implementing clean and renewable energy initiatives, as well as modern smart grids, to significantly enhance the reliability of energy systems. These efforts are advancing the energy transition and system transformation, which are critical for increasing the share of renewable energy, promoting the use of cleaner fuels, and strengthening resilience.
In recognition of International Day of Clean Energy, let us continue to partner and work together to advance the transition to clean and renewable energy within CARICOM.
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