CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The St. Lucia-based Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has signed an agreement with the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) to bolster the sustainable energy landscape in the Eastern Caribbean.
They said the agreement establishes a framework for collaboration on a range of initiatives aimed at transforming the energy sector for the economic and social advancement of the region.
The two parties said that in response to rising energy costs and the global imperative for cleaner energy sources, they have committed to forging strategic partnerships that will revolutionize the energy landscape of the Eastern Caribbean.
“The MOU epitomizes their shared vision of harnessing an optimal energy mix, fostering innovation, and implementing policies that pave the way for a more secure, resilient, and sustainable energy future.”
Under the MOU, the OECS Commission and CARILEC will harness their collective expertise to identify and implement sustainable energy solutions and technological advancements, enhance capacity building, provide technical assistance, and encourage proactive policy formulation and energy regulation.
In addition, they will collaborate with potential partners to secure investments, facilitate data collection and economic analysis for informed decision-making and promote project development, including public-private partnerships, foster the emergence of innovative business models aligned with evolving energy demands, and explore pooled procurement opportunities for the OECS electricity sector.
OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules said the MOU recognizes energy development as a critical priority for the socio-economic advancement of the region.
“CARILEC’s role as a pivotal player in the sustainable energy transition in the Caribbean is central to this collaboration, with the organization poised to lead in elevating the standards of electric utility services and championing the interests of the power industry across the Caribbean,” he added.
CARILEC executive director Dr. Cletus Bertin described the MOU as historic, citing the role of its OECS-based membership in the founding and history of the organization.
‘The areas of focus are very timely, and we are looking at joint initiatives in pooled procurement, central warehousing, geothermal energy, and legislative reform, all of which are critical areas for energy transitioning, energy security, and energy independence in the Eastern Caribbean in particular, and the wider Caribbean in general,” he added.
The two parties said that implementing this MOU will be guided by both organizations’ resources and legal frameworks. They said regular engagements will ensure monitoring of progress, planning of future initiatives, and proper reporting and recognition of collaborative efforts.
Jules reiterated that the MOU serves as a pivotal step towards effecting transformative change in the energy sector of the Eastern Caribbean, paving the way for energy security and socio-economic advancement through collective action and strategic partnerships.
The collaboration between the OECS and CARILEC holds immense promise for revolutionizing the region’s energy landscape and ensuring a sustainable future for its citizens,” said the OECS, which groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat. Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.
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