A contingent from the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) is in Dominica attending the 2026 Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) Symposium and Rodeo this weekend. Photo: CARILEC

The 2026 Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation Symposium and Rodeo began with an opening ceremony on April 24, 2026. Photo: CARILEC

Manager of CARILEC’s Member Services Department, Ms Sophia Primus, said the Lineworkers Rodeo is a multi-purpose event, allowing participant linesmen to have fun while preparing them for disaster restoration in the Caribbean, in case a big event happens. Photo: CARILEC

Human Resources Officer at DOMLEC, Phyllis Alexander-Toussaint, said the annual Lineworkers Symposium and Rodeo brings together technical professionals for an exciting blend of competition and hands-on training. Photo: CARILEC

Other participating utility companies in the year’s event are 2025 Lineworkers Rodeo winners Antigua Public Utility Authority, Bahamas Power and Light, Barbados Light and Power, Dominica Electricity Services Limited, Group EEA, Saint Lucia Electricity Services, St. Vincent Electricity Services, Liberty Group Limited, NV GEBE, Nevis Electricity Services Limited, and Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. 

During an opening ceremony, held at the America Canada School of Medicine in Portsmouth, Dominica, Manager of CARILEC’s Member Services Department, Ms Sophia Primus, revealed that the team with the largest contingent this year is the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. At the same time, the Dominica Electricity Services Limited is the only team with a female lineworker.

Making this year’s symposium and rodeo possible are 11 utility companies, 32 teams, 56 participants, 8 sponsors and 18 companies. “All of you come together to drive this 2026 rodeo,” she said. 

The rodeo is set for Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Benjamin’s Park in Portsmouth, Dominica. Primus reminded that safety is paramount. “For the participants, they know that if you break the safety rule, you can lose as much as 50 points.”

Rodeo is multi-purpose

Primus added that the rodeo is a multi-purpose event, allowing participant linesmen to have fun while preparing them for disaster restoration in the Caribbean, in case a big event happens.

“So those guys who are meeting here on the friendly terms, they may just meet again on the disaster restoration site. So the camaraderie, the friendship that has been taken care of right here. So they can skip that part when they meet on the disaster site. So we get to work because we know each other.”

Meanwhile, Human Resources Officer at DOMLEC, Phyllis Alexander-Toussaint said, “We are not just here to share knowledge and innovations, we are here to honour a profession that demands precision, resilience and an unwavering commitment to safety.”

The event, she added, brings together technical professionals for an exciting blend of competition and hands-on training designed to elevate industry standards and promote a culture of safety and excellence within the energy sector. 

“Whether you work in the field, manage operations, design infrastructure, or support from behind the scenes, your contribution is the backbone of reliable energy for homes, businesses, and essential services. Over the course of this weekend's activities, you'll hear from industry leaders, explore new technologies, and engage in discussions that will shape the future of our work.”