In the context of sustainable energy transition in CARICOM, this presentation discusses, where we were, and where we are today and identifies issues, challenges, and opportunities along the way. Delivered by Joseph Williams, Sustainable Energy Advisor, Renewable Energy/ Energy Efficiency Unit, CDB at the Fifth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum in the Bahamas from January 23-25, 2017.

1. Joseph Williams
Sustainable Energy Advisor
The CARICOM Energy Transition
Lessons from the Last Five Years
Fifth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum
Colonial Hilton Hotel, Nassau, The Bahamas
January 23-25, 2017

2. Objectives
In the context of sustainable energy transition in
CARICOM:
1. To discuss briefly, where we were and where we
are today
2. To identify a few issues, challenges, and
opportunities along the way to our destination

3. Some progress in last decade…
Quantum leap still required for future!
ENERGY SECTOR 2017 ENERGY SECTOR 2027
Fossil Fuels
>90%
Transformation
RE
Fossil
Fuels
53%
RE
47%

4. Some Developments impacting
Sustainable Energy in the Caribbean
2004 CREDP / UNDP / GIZ 2013 REETA Project Launched
2008 CARICOM Energy Programme 2013 COTED; CARICOM Energy Policy; C-SERMS
2008 CSEF I 2014 SIDS Conference -SAMOA
2008 CSEP-EU / OAS Project 2014 CDB Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency Unit
2009 Summit of America – ECPA 2014 CSEF IV; Year of SE4ALL
2009 CREF 2015 CESI – US Government Initiative
2009 IRENA 2015 COP21 (NDC Established)
2009 Launch of SIDS DOCK 2015 COTED Energy
2010 ECPA Ministerial Meeting – Washington 2015 Launch of CCREEE
2010 CSEF II 2015 UN SDGs, incl. Goal 7: Clean and Affordable Energy
2011 COTED Energy 2011 2016 CESI Summit – Washington
2012 Rio+20 Conference; 2017 CSEF-V
2012

5. Progress in SE Development over the last decade
Description Pre-Baseline
2007
Baseline
2012
2017
Regional Energy Policy Coordination 0 CC EU CC Energy Unit (CC EU)
Regional Energy Policy , & Strategy 0 0 CARICOM Energy Policy (since 2013)
Countries with Approved SE Policies 1 2 8 (ANG, BAH, GRN, JAM, SLU,SKN, SVG, MN)
Countries with Draft Energy Policies 0 3 6
Regional Sustainable Energy Targets 0 0 C-SERMS Targets
Countries with SE Targets 0 8 14
Energy Units/Desks in place 4 7 8
Countries with Utility Scale RE 5 6 12
RE Capacity Installed 271MW 420 MW 485MW (2016 to date)
Share of Capacity RE 5.5% 8.8% 9.7% of Installed Capacity (w T&T) ;18% no T&T
Regulator in place 4 6 10
Source CSERMS Baseline Report 2015 | data since 2015 or otherwise stated.

6. Key ingredients for transforming sector
VISION: Policy, Strategy
GOOD GOVERNANCE
ENABLING FRAMEWORK: Leg & Reg for investment
ADEQUATE CAPACITY - Institutional, human
ENGAGE & MOBILIZE: Stakeholders, Partners, Citizenry
How important is leadership in this process?
Assumes
that
appropriate
financing is
available

7. Observations: Policy, strategy, plans
X Energy not reflected as a priority – e.g. not in Ministry’s name
X Many policies still in draft:
• Instances of lack of policy continuity for SE
• Policies include targets; necessary but not sufficient

8. X Lack of Good Governance can:
• set back progress for years
• lock out assistance from some Partners and MDBs
 Best Practice approach: public tendering for utility scale generating
capacity observed in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Belize.
X Some Energy Ministries don’t have technical persons in place
X Weak capacity remains challenge especially in SE, this can
• derail the transformation process (e.g. wrong advice, technology, etc.)
• poor technology transfer e.g. no counterpart
Observations: Good governance and capacity

9. Observations: Enabling framework, engagement
 Some RE policy instruments have brought good results
• Fiscal Incentives for solar water heaters
- including tax rebate; duty free
• IPP Approach: Jamaica, Belize,
• Net-billing, now FIT in Barbados for Solar PV
X Not sufficient learning among Policy makers from each other;
 CARICOM Mechanisms: C-SERMS, CEP have started to bridge
the gap for sharing among policymakers; but need support

10. EE, The Low Hanging
Fruit: Hard to pick?
Key Issues, Opportunities, Challenges - EE

11. Key Issues, Challenges, Opportunities - RE
• How to pursue legislative reforms where incumbent is private electric utility
• Implementing independent regulatory body in small countries
• Integrated Resource Planning, now key for evidence based policy formulation
• How much utility-scale generation vs distributed generation to pursue?
• Local Content: - should be a feature of all national energy policies?
• Role for a “Champion”? – e.g: regional level
• Utility operations should not be exempted from impact of rising fuel cost – i.e.
100% pass-thru a disincentive for their supporting SE?
• How to engage/incentivizing commercial banking sector?
• Right pace for transformation given – new technologies and declining prices?
• Mobility of human capacity
• Bundling of procurement for RE projects not shown to be feasible

12. Opportunities
• More robust policies
– Eliminate overlaps;
contradictions
• Framework for greater
accountability
– Timely, evidence-based
review & evaluation of
policies, vs KPIs; rating
linked to reform

13. Questions
Why do many policies remain in draft stage and are there negative implications of this?
Could approach to initiation, and agenda-setting be a part of the problem?
How can SE policy continuity be encouraged across administrations?
Is the public tendering / competitive approach for procurement of new generation always
feasible or practical? When should there be exceptions?
Is there need for greater leadership on SE at regional level, a champion?

14. THANK YOU
reee@caribank.org
www.caribank.org