BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Grenada’s Minister of Climate Resilience, Environment, and Renewable Energy, Kerryne James, has urged for closer collaboration to take advantage of the vast potential for renewable energy in the region
Addressing the Third Council of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Energy Ministers meeting, which is being held under the theme “Sustainable Energy: Creating Opportunities for Reinventing the Economy of the OECS,” James said the deliberation comes at a time when the urgency to transition to sustainable energy has never been greater.
“This is not just a policy ambition. It is an existential imperative. Our economic resilience, social development, and climate adaptation depend on how swiftly and effectively we transform our energy sector,” she said, highlighting the potential for renewable energy in the Caribbean region:
“The potential for renewable energy across our member states is immense. Solar, wind, geothermal, and oceanic energy resources remain largely untapped,” she said, noting that this potential “demands not just a political will but the creation of an enabling environment that fosters technological advancements, robust regulatory frameworks, and sustainable financing mechanisms.”
James said Grenada’s energy transition coincides with Friday, the country’s 51st anniversary of political independence from Britain.
“We recognize that true independence encompasses energy independence. Our national energy transition centers on integrating solar, geothermal, and other renewable energy sources, expanding green transportation, promoting energy-efficient buildings, and creating green jobs to ensure no citizen is left behind in this transformation.”
But James also spoke of the challenges faced by the region, particularly in light of recent natural disasters:
“The devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl earlier this year underscored the vulnerabilities of our energy infrastructure. This was more than a crisis. It was a stark reminder that resilience must be at the heart of our energy strategies. The reality of climate change demands that our transition is sustainable, responsive, and resilient.”
James, the outgoing chair of the OECS Council of Ministers on Energy, said regional cooperation is necessary to move towards renewable energy.
“By leveraging the collective expertise, resources, and strategic positioning of our member states, we can harmonize policies and regulations to create a unified, attractive market for clean energy investments, develop regional energy infrastructure that enables economies of scale, enhance technical training and capacity building to equip our people with skills for the new energy economy and establish an OECS energy market that facilitates energy trade and maximizes efficiency across borders.
“Our work here today is not simply about energy. It is about the economic transformation of our region and a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come. Let us reaffirm our commitment to this cause with urgency, innovation, and unwavering resolve.”
A statement issued by the St. Lucia-based OECS Commission said, “The meeting’s centerpiece will be the presentation and endorsement of the development of the OECS Sustainable Energy Roadmap 2025-2035.
It said the ministers are expected to review ambitious but practical targets, including achieving 30 percent renewable energy penetration across the OECS by 2030, with a minimum of 20 percent in each member state and 50 percent penetration by 2035.
The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands.
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