CARIBBEAN-A warning for Caribbean countries amid transition to sustainable energy.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The executive director of the Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), Dr. Mohammad Rafik Nagdee, said on Wednesday that the Region’s sustainable energy transition will not be achieved through ambition alone.

“It will be achieved through institutions that are capable, partnerships that are purposeful, investments that are strategic and leadership that is prepared to act with urgency and foresight,” he said at the launch of the Accelerated Sustainable Energy and Resilience Transition 2030 (ASERT 2030) Regional Capacity Strengthening Asertive (RCSA) program.

He said regional countries should seize the opportunity provided through the US$5.29 million initiative, and “not simply to implement a program, but to help shape a more resilient, inclusive, energy-secure and prosperous Caribbean for generations to come”.

The program is being funded jointly by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and CCREEE, with the CDB providing US$4.4 million and CCREEE, US$893,397.

The two regional organizations say the program comes at a time when renewable energy accounts for only 12 percent of the Caribbean energy mix and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets are slipping further out of reach.

In his address, Nagdee said the event represents more than the commencement of a new initiative. He said it signals a deliberate shift in how the RegionRegion approachs sustainable energy development across the Caribbean.

“Our RegionRegion has never lacked ambition. Our member states have established renewable energy targets, climate commitments and national development priorities that reflect a clear understanding of where we must go.

“The greater challenge has been building the institutional strength, technical capacity, data systems, investment pipelines and implementation mechanisms required to translate that ambition into sustained progress,” Nagdee said, adding “that is why the distinction between a program and a project is important.

“This is not merely a matter of terminology; it is a matter of strategy. Projects can deliver valuable outputs. However, the transformation of national energy systems cannot be achieved through isolated interventions, disconnected activities or short-term solutions.

“It requires a long-term, coordinated and program-based approach – one that strengthens institutions, develops people, improves decision-making, mobilizes investment and builds the foundations upon which progress can be sustained and scaled.”

Nagdee said that the energy transition before the Caribbean is not simply about replacing one source of electricity with another, but about redesigning the systems that power our economies and support our societies.

“It is about strengthening energy security in a region that remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. It is about reducing vulnerability to global price shocks and external disruptions.

“It is about improving economic competitiveness, creating new industries and employment opportunities, supporting innovation and ensuring that Caribbean people, particularly our young people and women, are equipped to lead and benefit from the transition.

“Most importantly, it is about resilience. For Small Island Developing States on the front line of climate change, resilient and sustainable energy systems are not an aspiration for the distant future. They are an immediate development imperative.”

Nagdee said that across the Caribbean, while significant progress has already been made, institutional, technical, and financing constraints continue to affect the speed and scale of implementation.

He said important gaps remain in energy planning, reliable data, investment preparation, specialized expertise, and inclusive participation.

He said that the ASERT 2030 Framework, developed under the leadership of the Caribbean Development Bank, responds directly to these realities.

“It provides a strategic and results-focused platform through which countries can strengthen the systems, institutions and capabilities necessary to accelerate their transition towards resilient, inclusive and low-carbon economies.”

CDB said it will provide technical guidance through its ASERT 2030 Framework, while CCREEE will lead the implementation, drawing on its regional mandate and stewardship of platforms including the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub, Energy Report Cards and the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Fellowship program.

In his address, the CDB’s director of projects, L. O’Reilly Lewis, said across the RegionRegion, there are abundant renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and marine energy.

“We have access to rapidly evolving technologies that can support cleaner, more resilient and more efficient energy systems,” he said, noting that the key barriers to the Caribbean’s energy transition remain, including limited human, technical and institutional capacity that are needed to turn ambition into action.

He said governments, regulators, utilities and energy professionals must be enabled to plan, implement and manage modern energy systems while having access to reliable data and timely technical advice.

“Without these capabilities, good projects remain concepts, investment opportunities are delayed, and national targets remain out of reach. Capacity strengthening is a fundamental investment to accelerate the Region’sRegion’s sustainable energy development.

Riley said that the new initiative is helping CDB member countries scale up and accelerate the investments needed to transform the energy sector.

“This transformation is urgent. Many Caribbean countries remain heavily dependent on imported petroleum products, exposing economies to fuel price volatility and climate risks.

“The Region needs cleaner, more affordable and resilient energy systems. But investment cannot be scaled without stronger institutions, better planning and the capacity to prepare and implement projects. This program is designed to help close that gap,” he added.

Riley said that through this program, CDB and CCREEE will strengthen energy information and knowledge management, integrated resource and resilience planning, gender equality, professional development and regional dialogue.

He said a central focus is the preparation and updating of Integrated Resource and Resilience Plans (IRRPs) in selected member states, noting that these plans will assess energy demand, resources, grid needs, and climate risks within a long-term framework to guide future energy investments.

“IRRPs will identify practical, least-cost and resilient pathways to expand renewable energy, modernize electricity systems and improve energy security. They will also include action plans and priority investments, creating a clearer path from planning to project preparation, financing and implementation.

“It will promote greater participation of women in the energy sector and facilitate regional knowledge sharing. Together, these activities will improve decision-making and help turn sustainable energy priorities into practical investments and measurable results.”

Riley said that while Caribbean countries face many common constraints, they often lack the scale, expertise or financial resources to address them individually.

“A regional approach enables us to share expertise, standardize methodologies, transfer lessons between countries, replicate successful solutions and avoid unnecessary duplication. It also gives the Caribbean a stronger voice and expands opportunities to mobilize financing and technical expertise.

By working together, countries can develop solutions that reflect both regional priorities and national circumstances,” Riley added.