Wednesday, April 24, 2024 – Pre-CREF
Join us for a dynamic workshop aimed at boosting the bankability of renewable energy projects in the Caribbean region. This intensive session will equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex landscape of project financing, risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement.
Throughout the interactive sessions, participants will connect with industry experts, donor organizations, investors, and fellow participants to foster collaboration and explore potential partnerships for projects.
Co-Hosted by:
Partner:
Agenda
8:30 am – Workshop Welcome: Objectives
Christopher Straughn, Sustainable Energy Specialist, Caribbean Development Bank
8:45 am – PROJECT PREPARATION: What Facilities are Available Now?
Presenting a definitive guide to the existing project preparation facilities available, including grants, loans, equity, and international funding mechanisms.
- Facility detail: facility provider, sizes, criteria for engagement, modalities, contact information
Racquel Moses, CEO, Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator
9:30 am – PROJECT FINANCING: Roadmap to 100% Financial Close
This session considers the sources and mechanisms to achieve financial close, looking at commercial debt, equity and multilateral/concessional capital.
- What are the trends in financing projects in the region, and from varying sources?
- How to blend the optimal mix of concessional and private capital
- How to develop robust financial models that are attractive to both concessional capital providers and private investors
Ije Ikoku Okeke, Managing Director, RMI
Berisford Grey, CEO Sygnus Capital, and Co-Founder Sygnus Group
Rodinald Soomer, Chief Executive Officer, CARICOM Development Fund
Valmore Stewart, Associate Director, Investment Banking, CIBC Caribbean
Sean Keogh, Vice President, Cadmus, Moderator
10:30 am – PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: How to Manage Risk
- What considerations should feature in risk mitigation design? Where are the common oversights and missteps to be addressed?
- How to enhance risk profile to ensure a more attractive investment proposition?
- How can regional stakeholders help by increasing access to information? What would be the impact on project delivery?
Fernando Alvarado, CEO, Deetken Impact
Jason Balliet, Vice President, Renewable Energy, WRB Energy
Marc Lopata, President, Solar Island Energy
11:15 am – Coffee Break
11:30 am – REGULATION: The Minimum Regulatory Function – the Key to Investor Confidence
Guided by the outputs of IRAC 2023, and detailed market analysis and dialogue over the past year, the Caribbean Development Bank will host an interactive session designed to explore market response and feedback to the concept of a Minimum Regulatory Function (MRF) and how that might impact project bankability and de-risking.
- Guidance on best practice and regulatory policy
- How to set up projects to avoid or overcome potential challenges
- Available support and collaboration
- Audience feedback from project developers and investors
H.G. Chissell, Founder & CEO, Advanced Energy Group
David Ehrhardt, Chief Executive, Castalia
Joseph Williams, Coordinator, Sustainable Energy, Caribbean Development Bank
12:30 pm – Workshop Takeaways
How to Register
Caribbean Project Preparation will take place before the CREF main event at the JW Marriott Marquis on April 24 from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. It is an optional, additional registration item. The incremental fee to attend the Caribbean Project Preparation Focus Session is $475. You will be provided with the option to register for it when you register for CREF.