Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Pre-CREF
Hydrogen is rapidly becoming a critical solution for energy security and resilience in island nations. However, the Caribbean faces significant challenges in its adoption. Renewable energy, which is essential for producing green hydrogen, is struggling to keep up with demand. Additionally, green hydrogen is not economically viable without substantial international support.
The 3rd annual H2-Caribbean will bring together technology providers, developers, financiers, and government officials to discuss the path forward for regional hydrogen development. The event will explore the steps needed to create a robust hydrogen economy across the Caribbean.
The key question is: how close is the Caribbean to realizing a hydrogen economy? Developing low-emission hydrogen requires significant resources, investment, and infrastructure. Not all islands have the same potential—some may lead, while others may need to 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 – 2.35 PM – Opening Session: Welcome & Objective-Setting
Francisca Salas, Hydrogen Program Director, New Energy Events
Ioana Marins, Director – Business Development, Hydrogen & Decarbonization, New Energy Events
2.35 – 3.20 PM – Leaders Panel: Green Hydrogen Progress in the Caribbean – A Year in Review
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. Mohammad Rafik Nagdee, Executive Director, CCREEE
Aidan Rogers, Strategic Advisor, Caribbean, Government of Barbados
Christiaan Gischler, Lead Energy Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank, Moderator
3.20 – 3.35 PM – Technology Spotlight: Catalyzing Caribbean Energy Independence through Low Emission Hydrogen
James Diego Leiman, Business and Financial Development, BWR Innovations
3.35 – 4:10 PM – Coffee Break & Networking
4.10 – 5.00 PM – 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
David Lang, Technical Sales Manager, Siemens Energy
5.00 – 5.50 PM – Financing the Future: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Hydrogen Investment 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
Christiaan Gischler, Lead Energy Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank
Eugene Tiah, President & CEO, Caribbean Energy Chamber
Rachel Welch-Phillips, Head of Legal & Corporate Secretary, ANSA Merchant Bank Limited, Moderator
5.50 – 6.00 PM – Closing Reflections & Next Steps