BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Grenada’s Minister of Local weather Resilience, Atmosphere, and Renewable Power, Kerryne James, has urged for nearer collaboration to make the most of the huge potential for renewable power within the area
Addressing the Third Council of the Organisation of Jap Caribbean States (OECS) Power Ministers assembly, which is being held below the theme “Sustainable Power: Creating Alternatives for Reinventing the Economic system of the OECS,” James mentioned the deliberation comes at a time when the urgency to transition to sustainable power has by no means been larger.
“This isn’t only a coverage ambition. It’s an existential crucial. Our financial resilience, social growth, and local weather adaptation rely on how swiftly and successfully we remodel our power sector,” she mentioned, highlighting the potential for renewable power within the Caribbean area:
“The potential for renewable power throughout our member states is immense. Photo voltaic, wind, geothermal, and oceanic power assets stay largely untapped,” she mentioned, noting that this potential “calls for not only a political will however the creation of an enabling surroundings that fosters technological developments, sturdy regulatory frameworks, and sustainable financing mechanisms.”
James mentioned Grenada’s power transition coincides with Friday, the nation’s 51st anniversary of political independence from Britain.
“We acknowledge that true independence encompasses power independence. Our nationwide power transition facilities on integrating photo voltaic, geothermal, and different renewable power sources, increasing inexperienced transportation, selling energy-efficient buildings, and creating inexperienced jobs to make sure no citizen is left behind on this transformation.”
However James additionally spoke of the challenges confronted by the area, significantly in gentle of latest pure disasters:
“The devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl earlier this 12 months underscored the vulnerabilities of our power infrastructure. This was greater than a disaster. It was a stark reminder that resilience should be on the coronary heart of our power methods. The fact of local weather change calls for that our transition is sustainable, responsive, and resilient.”
James, the outgoing chair of the OECS Council of Ministers on Power, mentioned regional cooperation is critical to maneuver in direction of renewable power.
“By leveraging the collective experience, assets, and strategic positioning of our member states, we will harmonize insurance policies and laws to create a unified, engaging marketplace for clear power investments, develop regional power infrastructure that allows economies of scale, improve technical coaching and capability constructing to equip our folks with abilities for the brand new power economic system and set up an OECS power market that facilitates power commerce and maximizes effectivity throughout borders.
“Our work right here in the present day shouldn’t be merely about power. It’s concerning the financial transformation of our area and a sustainable and resilient future for generations to return. Allow us to reaffirm our dedication to this trigger with urgency, innovation, and unwavering resolve.”
An announcement issued by the St. Lucia-based OECS Fee mentioned, “The assembly’s centerpiece would be the presentation and endorsement of the event of the OECS Sustainable Power Roadmap 2025-2035.
It mentioned the ministers are anticipated to assessment bold however sensible targets, together with reaching 30 p.c renewable power penetration throughout the OECS by 2030, with a minimal of 20 p.c in every member state and 50 p.c penetration by 2035.
The OECS teams the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands.
