Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Pre-CREF
Hydrogen is fast emerging as a solution for energy security and resilience in island nations. In Trinidad & Tobago, green hydrogen is already a building block, enabling the production of green ammonia to meet new European demand.
However, the Caribbean faces challenges. Renewable energy—essential for the production of green hydrogen—lags demand, and green hydrogen is not economically viable without substantial international support.
The 3rd annual H2-Caribbean will convene the regional market to chart a pathway for Caribbean hydrogen development. Technology providers, developers, financiers and government officials will explore what it will take to build a robust regional hydrogen economy.
Ultimately: how close is the Caribbean to a hydrogen economy? Low-emission hydrogen is a new industry requiring resources, investment, and infrastructure. Not all islands have equal potential – which should lead, and which should wait?
How to Register
H2-Caribbean will take place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 before the official kick-off of the CREF main event at the JW Marriott Marquis from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. It is an optional, additional registration item. It is complimentary for all senior Caribbean government officials who should contact us to receive a code to apply to the online registration for 2025. For all other attendees, the incremental fee to attend H2-Caribbean is $475. You will be provided with the option to register for it when you register for CREF.
Premier Sponsors
Sponsor H2-Caribbean
Interested in showcasing a project, presenting new technology, generating leads, expanding your network, and positioning your brand in front of key Hydrogen stakeholders in the Caribbean? Reach out to Ioana Marins, Director – Business Development, Hydrogen & Decarbonization, at imarins@newenergyevents.com for customized sponsorship packages.
Agenda
H2-Caribbean is designed as an interactive problem-solving, learning and networking platform for Caribbean stakeholders and hydrogen industry leaders to explore the potential of a hydrogen economy in the region.
Join us in this pivotal conversation that will shape both national and regional strategies for hydrogen production and application in the Caribbean. Your perspective is essential to accelerating the region’s transition to a hydrogen economy.
2:30 – Welcome Remarks & Objective-Setting
Francisca Salas, Hydrogen Program Director, New Energy Events
Ioana Marins, Director – Business Development, Hydrogen & Decarbonization, New Energy Events
2:35 – Green Hydrogen Progress in the Caribbean: A Year in Review – Leaders Panel
This session examines the past year’s progress across the Caribbean. Questions to be addressed:
- Is a hydrogen economy more or less viable than 12 months ago?
- Where have we seen progress and with what lessons learned?
- How are governments addressing infrastructure gaps?
- What plans are in place to develop local and export markets?
- Is there a technical workforce ready to support this emerging industry?
Dr. Vernon Paltoo, President, National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited
Dr. Mohammad Rafik Nagdee, Executive Director, CCREEE
Christiaan Gischler, Lead Energy Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank, Moderator
3:20 – National Showcase: Trinidad and Tobago – Hydrogen Hub for the Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago is pushing green hydrogen, leveraging existing natural gas infrastructure, renewable energy resources, and strong ammonia and methanol production benefiting from new European demand for greener products. A senior government official will share the who, what, when, and where of T&T’s hydrogen development plan.
3:40 – Coffee Break and Networking
4:00 – Scaling Hydrogen Projects in Island Geographies
The Caribbean’s unique geography offers both advantages and challenges for green hydrogen production. The session explores factors critical to project feasibility, including:
- Project scale: What size is needed for financial viability?
- Renewable energy sources: Which sources can meet scale requirements?
- Long-term project viability: Can the Caribbean support scalable, reliable hydrogen projects?
- Small-scale projects: Are islands prepared to invest in smaller, reliable projects, even if costs are higher?
Philip Julien, Founder and Chairman, Kenesjay Green
Jesus Martinez Cantu, Business Development and Sales Manager, SMA America
Thibault Menage, Vice President Caribbean, HDF Energy
Dan Restrepo, Head of Sales of Sustainability Energy Systems of America, Siemens Energy
4:55 – Technology Presentation
James Diego Leiman, Business and Financial Development, BWR Innovations
5:10 – A Multi-Faceted Approach to Financing the Hydrogen Industry in the Caribbean
This session delves into the financing landscape for the hydrogen sector in the region. Topics will include:
- Which organizations provide concessional funds, loans, and specialized financial programs to support early-stage projects?
- Market transition: When will private equity and investors enter the market, and what signals will mark this shift?
- PPP potential: Is a Public-Private Partnership model suitable for the Caribbean hydrogen market?
- Local off-takers: How could a domestic off-taker, like Trinidad, support hydrogen project viability and market acceptance?
Dolf Gielen, Hydrogen Lead and Senior Energy Economist, The World Bank
Eugene Tiah, President & CEO, Caribbean Energy Chamber
6:00 – Take-Aways – Next Steps