USAID Caribbean clean energy program helps green the grid

A clean energy program led by USAID aims to help Caribbean nations meet the ambitious renewables targets set at COP21 in Paris last year.

Energy specialists from the Barbados Energy Division, the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and various electric utility companies, regulators, financiers, international donor organizations, and equipment suppliers all contributed to a working group aimed at developing strategies to transition power grids in the region to smart technology.

Officially known as the Caribbean Clean Energy Program (CARCEP), the USAID project aims to assist regional countries to become more energy efficient through policies and incentives that promote low emission growth  and greater public-private sector investment in clean energy development. USAID mission director, Christopher Cushing, confirmed that clean energy is a major priority of the US government, paralleling commitments from governments globally to address this challenge.

970px-x-250px-CREF-blue[1]

“At Paris COP 21, commitments given by countries will result in renewables making up 78 percent of new power generation investment by 2030. Many countries in the Caribbean have ambitious goals for the percentage of renewable energy in the electricity sector,” said Cushing.

Read the full article here.