Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Pre-CREF
The World Bank is hosting an interactive workshop focused on innovative solutions to overcome the critical barriers impeding the advancement of the clean energy transition in the Caribbean. The workshop will explore three leading solutions through relevant case studies and invite insights and ideas from all participants. The ultimate objective is to develop concrete approaches to apply these solutions more effectively and accelerate the clean energy transition in the region.
How to Register
The World Bank workshop will take place before the official kick-off of the CREF main event at the JW Marriott Marquis on May 7 between 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. It is an optional, complimentary registration item. You will be provided with the option to request an invitation for the workshop when you register for CREF.
Hosted by:
Agenda:
Chairperson: Rutu Dave, Senior Energy Specialist, The World Bank
9:00 – Opening Remarks
9:05 – Investing in Renewable Energy Integration for a Reliable and Resilient Power System – Spotlight on Belize
This session will provide an overview of best practices in energy sector strategies aimed at enhancing renewable energy integration while strengthening the reliability and resilience of power systems in island contexts, with a particular focus on Belize. The session will also present a guiding framework for planning and implementing solar-plus-storage projects that leverage private investments and the evolving landscape for the different approaches and business models for solar and energy storage projects. The topics covered will include:
- The role of energy storage in increasing the integration of renewable energy sources.
- Business model selection and adaptation for energy sector investments.
- Utilizing complementary Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) templates within a competitive procurement process
- Announcement of the 40MW BESS and 50-80MW utility-scale solar RFP for Belize
Presentations:
- Evolution of the Energy Storage Landscape: Guidelines for Solar Plus Storage in Maximizing Private Sector Investments for BESS projects –
Talal Anan Kanaan, Energy Specialist, World Bank Group
- Belize Reliant and Resilient Energy System Project & IFC Solar PV –
Chong Suk Song, Energy Specialist, The World Bank
David Bot Ba Njock, Investment Officer, IFC
- Storage4Climate – Quick BESS Diagnostic to Accelerate Procurement
Peter Mockel, Principal Industry Specialist, IFC
10:05 – Scaling Utility-Scale Renewable Energy: Risk Mitigation Mechanisms
This session will provide insights on the various risk mitigation tools that are being deployed in the Caribbean to accelerate the clean and resilient energy transition. This session will bring forward the offering of the recently approved WB-financed Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility (RREIIF), climate funds and SIDS in other regions.
Marie-Hélène Joseph-Vanderpool, Regional Manager for the Caribbean, Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Kieran St Omer, Senior Project Officer, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB)
Neha Mukhi, Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank, moderator
11:00 – Coffee Break
11:10 – Leveraging Pooled Procurement and Building Economies of Scale
This session will highlight how countries within the Caribbean will deploy pooled procurement strategies in the energy sector and how these strategies can be scaled across the Caribbean region.
- How will pooled procurement be applied to the energy sector and how can it be scaled across the region?
- What key challenges could arise based on previous pooled procurement projects and how will they be addressed?
- What role will standardization play in the success of the pooled procurement pilot?
Judith Ephraim, Programme Coordinator, Sustainable Energy Unit, OECS Commission
Dr. Mohammad Rafik Nagdee, Executive Director, CCREEE
Jari Vayrynen, Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank, moderator
11:55 – Closing Remarks