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 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.
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.
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Domestic Transport, Information, Communication and Technology and Posts
El Paso Electric Company President and Chief Executive Officer
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.
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.
Exhibition and Registration Opens
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
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?
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Director, Islands Energy ProgramModerator
Launch of the Global RE Champions Initiative
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.
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?
Caribbean Export Development Agency Executive DirectorModerator
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
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.
Ministry of Energy and Mines, Dominican Republic Vice Minister of Innovation and Energy Transition
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?
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.
Table I: Should the Caribbean Bet on Nuclear SMRs?
Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) Head of Partnerships and Programmes
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.
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Director of ProjectsModerator
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?
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
