The CARILEC Resiliency and Energy Efficiency Project (CAREEP) was designed around the theme of ‘Overcoming Disruptions in times of Crisis: Weathering Social and Financial Impact of COVID-19 on the Electricity Sector’. Photo: Internet Source

The CARILEC Resiliency and Energy Efficiency Project (CAREEP) was designed around the theme of ‘Overcoming Disruptions in times of Crisis: Weathering Social and Financial Impact of COVID-19 on the Electricity Sector’.

It is being implemented by the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) with funding from the RESEMBID Programme to the tune of €467,715.

The Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID) is funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France - the development cooperation agency of the Government of France and supports sustainable human development efforts in 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) - Aruba, Anguilla, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Montserrat, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos.

Launched on February 10th, 2022, the CARILEC Resiliency and Energy Efficiency Project (CAREEP) aims to strengthen economic resilience and reduce the financial vulnerability of the Caribbean’s electricity sector.

CAREEP was conceptualized to address two critical threats facing the region- the vulnerability toward climate change and the financial impacts of global crises such as COVID-19. The project specifically targets energy affordability for residential customers. It focuses on low-income households, as well as Electric Utilities, Energy Service providers and out-of-work professionals formerly employed within the tourism sector. 

The Project aims include mainstreaming energy conservation measures and technologies, as well as building capacities for new and innovative energy services, by diversifying the skills of the local workforce.

This will be coupled with efforts to create new business opportunities around sustainable and innovative energy services. 

The project which commenced in January 2022 will involve several interventions in the six overseas countries territories (OCTs). These include the implementation of a regional public education and awareness programme centred on household energy conservation measures, as well as online trainings for professionals on the provision of new sustainable energy services. An e-learning platform, developed and operated under the Project, will train and guide Caribbean households to conduct energy self-audits and to reduce their monthly electricity bill.

Alongside representatives from CARILEC Member utilities, RESEMBID and government technical focal points the project aims to develop a set of policy recommendations to establish enabling frameworks for sustainable energy services.