Agenda

Underpinned by the CREF Advisory Board, what’s driving the CREF 2025 agenda?

Achieving energy independence in a time of geopolitical uncertainty
Future-focused utilities: renewables capacity, battery storage and CAPEX strategy
Attracting and effectively deploying impact investment and alternative finance solutions
Advancing energy interconnection: addressing regulatory, operational, and financial barriers
Regulation and policy to drive renewable energy development
National energy strategies, the project pipeline and upcoming tenders

As well as:

The annual Hydrogen Summit for the Caribbean (H2-Caribbean 2025) returns for its 3rd iteration. A standalone event on May 7 spearheading the region’s drive for a clean hydrogen economy.
The annual Women in Renewable Energy Luncheon, hosted by the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator and RMI.
The Environmental Trading Breakfast Workshop. Get to grips with the latest trends in environmental trading and how to apply them in the Caribbean. Hosted by CIBC Caribbean.
“Deep Dive” Workshop: Is Geothermal Power Finally Within Reach? Hosted by Exergy International.

And then there are any number of other CREF highlights – the Rise-and-Shine Roundtables, the CREF Fun Run, the CREF Connection Hub, the CREF Awards – each a highlight in its own right.

Wednesday

May 7

9:00-12:00

Unlocking the Caribbean’s Renewable Energy Potential: Strategic Pathways for Investment and Scale

Hosted by The World Bank

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. More information and agenda here.

David Bot Ba Njock

IFC
Investment Officer
Hon. Michel Chebat

Government of Belize
Minister, Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, and Logistics
Rutu Dave

The World Bank
Senior Energy Specialist
Gabriela Elizondo-Azuela

The World Bank
Practice Manager Energy Infrastructure, Latin America and the Caribbean
Judith Ephraim

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission
Programme Coordinator, Sustainable Energy Unit
Kurt Inglis

Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Transports, Saint Lucia
Head of Energy & Public Utilities
Talal Kanaan

The World Bank
Energy Specialist
Peter Mockel

IFC
Principal Industry Specialist
Neha Mukhi

The World Bank
Senior Energy Specialist
Dr. Mohammad Rafik Nagdee

CCREEE
Executive Director
María Hilda Rivera Ramírez

Luma
Director, Grid Modernization
Kieran St Omer

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB)
Senior Project Office
Chong Suk Song

The World Bank
Energy Specialist
Jari Vayrynen

The World Bank
Senior Energy Specialist

Invitation Only

12:15-1:45

Women In Renewable Energy Luncheon

hosted by WIRE/RMI & Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator

Invitation only. More information here.

Kelly Tomblin

El Paso Electric Company
President and Chief Executive Officer

Additional Enrollment Required

2:00-6:00

3rd Hydrogen Summit for the Caribbean

The 3rd annual Hydrogen Summit for the Caribbean (H2-Caribbean 2025) is designed to bring the upstream and downstream market together to chart a pathway for Caribbean hydrogen development.

Advanced sign-up required. More information here.

6:00-8:00

CREF Welcoming Cocktail Reception

Kick off the 17th edition of CREF in style! Celebrate the reunion of the #CREFenergy community with an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and networking.

Open to all registered attendees.

Thursday

May 8

7:15-8:30

Exhibition and Registration Opens

Advanced registration required

7:30-8:30

Environmental Trading Breakfast Workshop

Hosted by CIBC Caribbean

Get to grips with the latest trends in environmental trading and how to apply them in the Caribbean. Find out more on:

Carbon markets 101 and different carbon credits and trading schemes
How voluntary carbon markets work and its contribution to supporting climate goals
How are credits generated and what are the verification and compliance requirements?
Looking at market dynamics, pricing mechanisms and risk management approaches

Larry She

CIBC Capital Markets
Executive Director, Global Markets Trading, Global Commodities

8:40-8:45

CREF 2025 Welcome Remarks

Jerry Butler

Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum
Chairman

8:45-8:50

Day One Chair Welcome

Racquel Moses

Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator
Chief Executive Officer

8:50-9:05

Opening Keynote

Daniel Best

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
President

9:05-10:15

CREF Ministerial: Diverse Pathways to Energy Transition in the Caribbean

Guided by the principle that one size doesn’t fit all, this high-level session explores how a select group of island nations are charting their energy transition paths, from utility-scale renewables to decentralized solutions.

What are the building blocks of the transition? What is the vision?
How has the operating environment (e.g. geopolitical landscape, growing interest in LNG, price of oil) impacted the plan?
What milestones have been achieved in the last year?
What major milestones need to be achieved in the next 18 months (i.e. NDC revisions) to remain on track to meet targets before the end of the decisive decade?
What lessons can be applied across the region?
How have multilateral and private sector partners accelerated success?

Hon. Mark Brantley

Nevis Island Administration
Premier
Hon. Benarva Browne

The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Minister of Urban Development, Energy, Seaports, Grenadines Affairs and Local Government
Hon. Jobeth Lillian Coleby-Davis

Government of the Bahamas
Minister of Energy and Transport
Dr. James Fletcher

CARICOM
Climate Envoy and GGGI Council Member
Hon. Kerryne James

Government of Grenada
Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy
Hon. Alexa N. H. Lightbourne, JP, MP

Government of Bermuda
Minister of Home Affairs

David Gumbs

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
Director, Islands Energy Program Moderator

10:15-10:25

Launch of the Global RE Champions Intitiative

REN 21 – the only global renewable energy network connecting governments, industries, NGOs, science and academia globally to accelerate the shift to renewables – will launch their Global RE Champions Network at CREF.

Dr. James Fletcher

CARICOM
Climate Envoy and GGGI Council Member
Ramon Mendez

Government of Uruguay
Former Energy Secretary
Laura Williamson

REN21
Senior Advisor

10:25-10:30

Blue Planet Alliance: Invitation to the Fellowship Program

Kneyone Murray

Blue Planet Alliance
Caribbean Director

10:30-11:15

The Future of the Utility & Grid Integration in the Caribbean

Caribbean utilities and regulators are at a watershed as they navigate the complexities of renewable integration, grid modernization, and decentralized energy. This session will explore the latest approaches and regulatory frameworks that are shaping the future of utility operations and grid resilience in the region.

How are utilities adapting to a more dynamic and distributed energy landscape?
How are utilities balancing large-scale renewables with distributed generation and microgrids?
How is regulatory policy driving the trajectory of the utility/DG balance to ensure participation of all parties, and achieve climate goals?
What financing models and policy reforms are critical to accelerating grid modernization?
How do national renewable energy targets align—or conflict—with the economic realities of operating a utility?

Delano R. Arthur

Turks and Caicos Islands
Commissioner, Energy and Utilities Department
Marsha Atherley-Ikechi

OOCUR
Executive Director
Toni B. Seymour

Bahamas Power and Light Company Limited (BPL)
Chief Executive Officer
Sacha Tibbetts

Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd.
VP Customer Services & Technology

Cherri-Ann Farquharson

CCREEE
Technical Chief of Staff Moderator

11:15-11:45

Refreshments and Networking

11:45-12:30

Caribbean Clean Energy Champions: Are the DFIs Delivering?

Multilateral and regional institutions play a critical role in financing clean energy, but are they stepping up fast enough?

What bottlenecks persist in funding large-scale projects?
Will COP29 and the Bridgetown Initiative accelerate financing?
How are DFIs and regional banks de-risking projects?
What impact will shifting U.S. policies have on investment flows?

Anton Edmunds

Inter-American Development Bank
General Manager- Country Department Caribbean Group
Gabriela Elizondo-Azuela

The World Bank
Practice Manager Energy Infrastructure, Latin America and the Caribbean
Kerry McCarthy

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) United Kingdom
Minister for Climate, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Dr. Mohammad Rafik Nagdee

CCREEE
Executive Director

Damie Sinanan

Caribbean Export Development Agency
Executive Director Moderator

12:30-1:15

Transformative Regulatory Reforms to Support Private Investment in Renewable Energy: Data Index, Findings and Key Priorities

As part of the ASERT 2030 strategy, CDB conducted detailed assessment of the regulatory frameworks of the Bank’s 19 borrowing member countries, using the Minimum Regulatory Function (MRF) as a basis. This multi-part session will feature:

Presentation of Castalia’s dedicated Caribbean Project/Investment Database
Review of findings from the Readiness Index in the context of the MRF
Conclusions on gaps and weaknesses relative to the elements of the MRF
Insights into market trends and investment opportunities, as products of developments/shortcomings in regulation

David Ehrhardt

Castalia
CEO
Videsh Kissoon

Caribbean Development Bank
Sustainable Energy Specialist

1:15-2:45

Lunch & CREF 2025 Industry Awards

Join us for a celebration of excellence and innovation at the 7th Annual CREF Industry Awards! At CREF 2025, we’ll honor the trailblazers and changemakers driving the clean energy revolution across the Caribbean. The Awards ceremony will shine a spotlight on those making a lasting impact on the region’s sustainable future.

Have an outstanding project or program worthy of recognition? Submit your entry and discover more here!

2:45-3:30

New Pathways to Financing Caribbean Projects

Are we leaving carbon credits untapped?
Can green bonds gain traction in the Caribbean? How?
What’s preventing greater private-sector participation?
Are regional investors stepping up to lead RE financing?

Gerardo Aguilar

Sygnus Capital
Head of Climate and Energy
Adam Carter

CIBC Caribbean
Managing Director & Head, Investment Banking, Forex and Derivative Sales
Miguel Toledo

IFC
Chief Investment Officer
Luca Trinchieri

EU Delegation in Barbados
Team Leader of Green Deal

Dustin Delany

Dentons Delany
Chair and Chief Managing Partner Moderator

3:30-4:30

Jamaica’s Clean Energy Journey

Jamaica’s 2024 energy tender marked a milestone. We examine the results of the 2024 tender and the outlook for the awarded projects.

How will new projects reshape Jamaica’s energy matrix?
What lessons from past tenders will shape future rounds?
What challenges remain in attracting private investment?
How do renewables sit alongside gas in national planning?
Is the C&I market for distributed taking off?

Michelle Chin Lenn

Wigton Energy
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Emanuel DaRosa

SunTerra Energy Ltd.
Chief Executive Officer
Lennox Elvy

Generation Procurement Entity, Jamaica
Chairman
Ramiro Gomez Barinaga

RELP
Global Director of Country Delivery
Cheryl Lewis

Office of Utilities Regulation, Jamaica
Deputy Director-General, Legal and Consumer & Public Affairs

Rochelle Johnson

The World Bank
Energy Specialist Moderator

4:30-4:50

Refreshments and Networking

4:50-5:15

Dominican Republic: Next Steps to Supercharge Transition?

The Dominican Republic is a regional leader in the energy transition. What are the crucial next steps for grid modernization and energy storage?

What’s next in energy storage and grid modernization? What challenges must be addressed to get there?
How are regulatory developments playing out, and what more needs to be done to facilitate and incentivize developments in the clean power space?
Assessing project pipeline and investment opportunities in the DR
The financing and legal perspective on the power sector
Gender policy at the forefront: How female participation in the power sector is driving advances in energy security and resilience

Carolina Silié Ruiz

Headrick
Partner
Betty Soto Vinas

Ministry of Energy and Mines, Dominican Republic
Vice Minister of Innovation and Energy Transition

5:15-6:15

Battery Storage: Case Studies, Applications and Regional Tenders

Battery storage is critical to the expansion of renewables on island grids. Exploring the trends, opportunities and dynamics of battery storage via discussion and case studies considering:

How can utilities be incentivized to adopt storage?
What next-gen battery technologies will impact the Caribbean?
Best practice in grid integration; who is getting it right?
The outlook for storage tenders in the region

Edgar Benitez

Saft
Application Engineer Lead
Hon. Michel Chebat

Government of Belize
Minister, Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, and Logistics
Jesus Cintron

Genera PR
Federal Program Senior Manager
Ali Nouri

Smart Energy Ltd.
CEO
Jorge Quintana

Tesla
Sr. Staff Account Manager, Utility, Energy Storage

Talal Kanaan

The World Bank
Energy Specialist Moderator

6:15-8:00

CREF 2025 Reception

Friday

May 9

6:30-7:00

CREF Fun Run

8:00-9:00

CREF Roundtables: Off the Record, Collaborative, Solution Focused

Select your roundtable topic and join the conversation. These lightly moderated discussion tables invite multi-perspective approaches to the most pressing topics in Caribbean clean energy. Join us for these networking-focused roundtable sessions.

8:00-9:00

Table I: Should the Caribbean Bet on Nuclear SMRs?

Rise and Shine Roundtables

Eugene Tiah

Caribbean Energy Chamber
President and CEO

Table II: Is it Time to Take Biofuels Seriously?

Rise and Shine Roundtables

Table III: Energy Efficiency, the Low Hanging Fruit

Rise and Shine Roundtables

Table IV: Climate-Resilient Energy Infrastructure

Rise and Shine Roundtables

Roberto G. Aiello

Inter-American Development Bank
Principal Regional Energy Specialist

8:00-9:00

Table V: Could Off-Shore Generation Be a Viable Feature of the Island Energy Matrix?

Rise and Shine Roundtables

L. Nigel Burgess

Regulatory Authority of Bermuda
Head of Regulation

Table VI: Stimulating the DG Market

Rise and Shine Roundtables

8:00-9:00

Table VII: Increasing Energy Access: Developing and Financing the Generation Capacity and Energy Infrastructure to Support Rural Communities

Rise and Shine Roundtables

Rafael Yari Cabanillas Gonzalez

Trama TecnoAmbiental S.L.
Project Manager and Energy Access Consultant
Evenson Calixte

National Energy Regulatory Authority, Haiti (ANARSE)
General Manager
Richard Paal

EBS Suriname
Project Manager

8:55-9:00

Day Two Chairperson Welcome

Kiesha Farnum

Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE)
Head of Partnerships and Programmes

9:00-9:25

Straight Talk on the Market: What’s Happening, What’s Limiting, What’s Next?

Guided by two industry veterans, we take an honest look at the reality of the market. This interactive session, guided by audience polling, will explore the drivers behind recent progress, the main barriers islands are facing on the road to expanding RE, and what needs to happen to move beyond these challenges.

Bruce Levy

BMR Energy
President and CEO

9:25-10:10

Trinidad & Tobago: Is a Viable RE Pipeline Finally Emerging?

Trinidad has long lagged in renewables—is that changing?

What does the project pipeline look like?
What’s the latest on solar RFPs and wind resource assessments?
How is the government shaping policy for a successful transition?
Could Trinidad play a regional energy interconnection role?

Dr. Vernon Paltoo

National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago
President
Toni Sirju-Ramnarine

NGC Green Company
President
Bernardo Requena

CAF
Representative Trinidad & Tobago
Karinsa Tulsie

Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Trinidad and Tobago
Deputy Permanent Secretary

Dr. Indra Haraksingh

The University of the West Indies
Doctor Moderator

10:10-10:55

Guyana & Suriname: Moving Along the Path to Energy Diversity

Key voices from both jurisdictions provide an update on progress, and what is to come, in the effort to diversify the energy matrix

Outlook for hydro, solar and energy efficiency
Legislation developments and shortcomings, and impact on attracting investment

Dave Abeleven

Abeleven Consulting and ProCise Consultancy
Lead Consultant
Anand Kalpoe

Energy Authority of Suriname
Managing Director
Dr. Mahender Sharma

Guyana Energy Agency
Chief Executive Officer

Joseph Cox

Institute for Innovation and Growth Inc.
Managing Partner Moderator

10:55-11:35

Puerto Rico: Utility-Scale vs. Distributed Generation – An Unexpected Path to 100% by 2050?

As distributed generation (DG) surges, this session explores how Puerto Rico is balancing utility-scale energy with DG to achieve its 2050 goals.

How is uncertainty related to ongoing bankruptcy proceedings impacting investor appetite and trajectory for development?
What is the effectiveness of multi-tranche procurement?
How are strategies for integrating DG into energy planning playing out?
What is the role of virtual power plants (VPPs) in grid stabilization?

Fernando Padilla

CSA Group
Vice President, Business Development
Nick Pastrana

Power Solar
Commercial Developments Director
María Hilda Rivera Ramírez

Luma
Director, Grid Modernization

Isabel Beltran

Global Energy Alliance for People and the Planet GEAPP
Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean LAC Moderator

11:35-11:50

Refreshments and Networking

11:50-12:35

Corporate End-Users and the Self-Generation Equation

A guided conversation between a corporate end-user, a utility and a regulator, on how self-generation can (or can’t) be a win for all.

What’s driving the corporate move to self-generation?
Can self-generation align with utility interests?
What policy and regulatory changes could facilitate a win-win?

Kyle Fleming

Virgin Islands Energy Office
Director
Donna Marie Howe

Jamaica Bauxite Mining Ltd.
Managing Director
Kirstin McCarthy

Sandals Resorts International
Corporate Director, Sustainability

Christopher Burgess

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
Director of Projects Moderator

12:35-1:00

Rethinking Risk and Insurance for the Caribbean’s Clean Energy Future

This session explores the latest developments in risk management and insurance procurement, examining how new approaches can overcome capacity limitations and reduce prohibitive costs.

How can innovative insurance de-risk RE projects?
What new models can increase coverage affordability?

Gillian Charles-Gollop

CIBC Caribbean
Executive Director, Corporate Banking & Sustainable Finance
Tiago Favarin de Moraes

Carpenter Marsh Fac Re, Marsh & McLennan Companies
Head of Client Fac, SVP

Victoria Miles

ImpactA Global
Founding partner Moderator

1:00-1:30

Strengthening Grid Resilience: How Can Utilities Respond Faster to Climate Emergencies?

In the wake of the 2024 hurricane season, utilities face mounting pressure to optimize disaster response and climate resilience.

Lessons learnt from recent disasters and how can operational adjustments increase preparedness
Are incident command structures the solution to increasing response efficiency?
How can emerging technology, AI and data analytics be harnessed to better prepare and respond to climate-related incidents?
Looking at infrastructure modernization needs, such as undergrounding cables, how can these be financed and executed?

Roberto G. Aiello

Inter-American Development Bank
Principal Regional Energy Specialist
Maria Medard

CARILEC
Disaster Management Coordinator
Dionne Nugent

Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd. (JPS)
Director, Business Development

Christina Becker-Birck

Cadmus Group
Vice President Moderator

1:30-2:30

Networking Lunch

2:30-4:00

Deep Dive Workshop: Is Geothermal Power Finally Within Reach?

Hosted by Exergy International

With progress being made in Dominica, and financing secured and drilling on the horizon in St. Kitts & Nevis, we take a closer look at the potential for geothermal to be a regional solution for clean baseload power. In a discussion led by Exergy, a leading geothermal ORC technology provider, we address progress to date and outlook for geothermal in the region, and explore new models that could increase the long-term viability of geothermal in the Caribbean.

Project updates & insights from island stakeholders, including current financing landscape for geothermal
Considering a full value chain approach- how could this model be structured and developed to include an initial financing scheme for the full value chain of geothermal development?
Power production, direct use or a combination? What mix of high/low enthalpy offers the best long-term economic value for Caribbean stakeholders?
- Potential to support food security, industry and tourism, water desalination
- Building community buy-in
Replication, connection and regional interconnection: Developing regional approaches to attract and retain developer and investor appetite
The potential of emerging technologies to drive down cost and risk, and what this means for the region’s geothermal futur
Considering regulatory frameworks to support geothermal

Hon. Mark Brantley

Nevis Island Administration
Premier
Judith Ephraim

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission
Programme Coordinator, Sustainable Energy Unit
Hon. Kerryne James

Government of Grenada
Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy
Fred John

Dominica Geothermal Development Company
Chairman
Sara Milanesi

Exergy International
Head of Marketing and Communications, Business Advisor

Sylvain Brogle

Exergy International
Business Advisor Moderator

4:00-4:15

CREF 2025 Wrap-Up: Charting the Course for 2026, and Close

We’ve discussed the challenges and opportunities, now what are the top action items for the year to come?