Executive Director of CARILEC Mrs. Allison A. Jean does not believe that a ‘one size fits all’ approach could be applied throughout the region for the advancement of renewable energy. Photo: VINO

BVIEC Chairman Mr. Ron R. Potter and First Lady Lorna G. Smith speaking during the opening ceremony. Photo: VINO

Seated left to right are Chairman of CARILEC and CEO, St Vincent Electricity Services Mr Thornley Meyers, Executive Director of CARILEC Mrs. Allison A. Jean, General Manager BVIEC Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham, Katherine Gooding of the World Bank, Regional Economist for the Caribbean, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ms Angela Francis and CEO Temporal Power Mr. Cam Carver. Photo: VINO

This was noted by Executive Director of CARILEC Mrs. Allison A. Jean as she spoke at the September 23, 2014 official opening ceremony of the 4th CARILEC/World Bank Regulatory Forum held in collaboration with the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), at Maria’s By the Sea.

“At our previous regulatory gatherings, the common theme was echoed that there should not be a ‘one size fits all’ approach but custom-made regulation is important for the sector under review,” she said.

It was based on the fact that as they look at the global energy landscape it was recognized that there are elements of best practices that could be considered for adopting but similarly, there are worst practices from which they could learn lessons to ensure that the regulation satisfies the needs of the particular jurisdiction.

According to Mrs. Jean, CARILEC recognizes the important contribution that member utilities, associates and affiliates make to the development of the Caribbean and the wider world, and pledges to maintain a sustainable electricity sector in support of the development of nations.

“In our quest to be the premier association of electric utilities and industry partners; facilitating the development of world class electric energy services for all peoples of the Caribbean, CARILEC continues to explore renewable sources that could be incorporated into the blend of power generation. This new drive has been embraced by our utility members,” said Ms Jean.

However, she said the transformation that is taking place in the power sector requires the support of an enabling environment that not only facilitates the growth of the region but one that sustains the reliability and security of the electric utility sector.

“It is important that in our quest at achieving lower electricity prices for consumers, there is attention paid to the continued economic viability of the power companies themselves. So essential is sound legislation to the utility sector that CARILEC members contributed to a special fund to ensure that opportunities were organized to engage in dialogue and sensitization of all stakeholders in the market,” she said.

On that note Mrs. Jean said, “I therefore wish to reiterate that CARILEC welcomes and supports regulation in the Caribbean and believes that it will play a crucial role in further shaping and developing the power sectors in the region. To assure that regulation is effective, the design of the regulatory framework needs to appropriately incorporate the specific characteristics and realities of the Caribbean region.”

In addition, she said a stable, competent, and independent regulatory framework is the importance to assure a financially, healthy sector in which investments can be undertaken to facilitate the growth in demand and thus sustain economic development of the Caribbean countries.

“As enunciated in our Position Paper on Regulation and Renewable Energy (2010), CARILEC and its member utilities will continue to play a constructive role as subject matter experts in further progressing the regulatory landscape in the Caribbean in order to move towards an effective regulatory framework for the Caribbean power sector,” said Mrs. Jean.

She said that they will continue to have an open mind to new ideas so long as they yield positive results for all stakeholders.

Much appreciation was extended to the World Bank for their continued partnership with CARILEC in facilitating for a Forum. Thanks also went out to UK FCO for their offer of assistance for the forum and deep appreciation extended to the management of BVIEC, the staff of CARILEC, together with the presenters and participants of the two conferences.