Promoting climate resilience in Caribbean energy systems
Project description
Title: Climate-resilient and sustainable energy supply in the Caribbean (Cli-RES)
Commissioned by: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Co-funded by: European Union (EU)
Country: CARICOM states and the Dominican Republic
Lead executing agnecy: Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Overall term: 2017 to 2021
Context
Member States of CARICOM take a strategic approach to development through the guidance of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. This includes promoting climate resilience in the Energy Sector, primarily by applying measures in the areas of renewable energies and energy efficiency. This process involves making energy systems resilient to the effects of climate change. Virtually all Member States have also reported nationally determined contributions towards reducing greenhouse gases to the UN Climate Change Secretariat. In order to promote the long-term development of sustainable energy systems in Caribbean countries, CARICOM Member States have adopted the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS) in 2013. This forms a framework for national policies. Strategic objectives in this process concern security of supply and expanding the energy mix. The strategy includes reaching a 47 per cent share of renewable energy in electricity generation capacity by 2027 and a 33 per cent reduction in energy intensity in the CARICOM region.
However, inadequate regulation of the generally small energy markets, the exodus of qualified workers and high access barriers to financing are making it difficult for the private sector to invest in a sustainable energy supply. Furthermore, the energy systems of the Caribbean countries are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, which tend to intensify as a result of global climate change. The energy systems are not designed for extreme weather events and, in the event of disasters, power cuts can sometimes last for months.
Yet, the Region has enormous potential for using sustainable and climate-resilient energy systems. In addition to geothermal energy, all other conventional renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaics, wind power, hydropower and biomass can usually be used economically. Investments in energy efficiency pay for themselves within a period thanks to savings, and are often extremely economical. In the future, the energy infrastructure should be carefully planned and adapted to extreme weather events, which would significantly reduce costs in the event of damage and shorten repair times.
Objective
Selected Caribbean countries effectively implement measures to achieve a long-term and climate-resilient energy supply.
Approach
The project supports the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and other key regional institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), the association of energy providers and the Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) in implementing strategies to promote renewable energies and energy efficiency.
It enables political decision-makers from energy ministries and other relevant ministries, as well as regulators of the energy sector in selected Caribbean states, to develop country-specific action plans for a climate-resilient energy system. Analyses of the vulnerability to disruption provide decision-makers involved in the planning process with an overview of the resilience of their energy systems to extreme weather events. This enables them to develop and implement measures to strengthen the energy system.
The project also supports the development of an effective, long-term regional advisory and service offering by the newly created Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Among other services, it offers an energy information system and knowledge centre, provides training, and supports project development in the implementation of suitable measures in the energy sector.
The project also includes individual advice and training services that support regional and national financial service providers and project developers in implementing sustainable energy projects. The focus here is on drawing up project proposals that meet banking requirements to secure funding for the projects. The project also improves access to financing for sustainable energy measures for small and medium-sized enterprises. Energy suppliers are advised to offer their customers not only electricity supply but also other energy services, such as replacing energy-intensive air conditioning systems or lighting systems, in order to remain viable for the future.