A Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) is being established in Barbados to support and coordinate the execution of regional renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and programmes.
CARICOM Heads of Government signed the agreement to establish the centre on Thursday, during the final Business Session of the Thirty-Eighth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
According to a statement from Barbados’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision to create the centre is a response to the difficult energy situation being faced in many CARICOM Member States, as they simultaneously face the challenges of affordable energy services, energy security and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
“It is envisaged that by developing their renewable energy sources and putting in place energy efficiency measures, many of the islands will now have significant opportunities to reduce their overall fossil fuel consumption. This should lead to an improvement in their energy security, and promote economic growth and enhanced competitiveness,” the Ministry said.
The centre is being established with the assistance of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); the Small Island Sustainable Energy and Climate Resilience Initiative (SIDS DOCK); the Government of Austria; and a number of other international development partners. The CCREEE is one of other regional sustainable energy centres for Small Island Developing States being established in the Pacific, Africa and the Indian Ocean.
During the period 2017 to 2018, the revenues of the Centre will be derived from annual contributions from UNIDO, SIDS DOCK and the Austrian government; and voluntary contributions from the Contracting Parties and regional organisations. Thereafter, it will be funded by voluntary contributions from CARICOM Members and Associate Members.
The Council for Trade and Economic Development will have general oversight of the Centre.
CARICOM Heads of Government signed the agreement to establish the centre on Thursday, during the final Business Session of the Thirty-Eighth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
According to a statement from Barbados’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision to create the centre is a response to the difficult energy situation being faced in many CARICOM Member States, as they simultaneously face the challenges of affordable energy services, energy security and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
“It is envisaged that by developing their renewable energy sources and putting in place energy efficiency measures, many of the islands will now have significant opportunities to reduce their overall fossil fuel consumption. This should lead to an improvement in their energy security, and promote economic growth and enhanced competitiveness,” the Ministry said.
The centre is being established with the assistance of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); the Small Island Sustainable Energy and Climate Resilience Initiative (SIDS DOCK); the Government of Austria; and a number of other international development partners. The CCREEE is one of other regional sustainable energy centres for Small Island Developing States being established in the Pacific, Africa and the Indian Ocean.
During the period 2017 to 2018, the revenues of the Centre will be derived from annual contributions from UNIDO, SIDS DOCK and the Austrian government; and voluntary contributions from the Contracting Parties and regional organisations. Thereafter, it will be funded by voluntary contributions from CARICOM Members and Associate Members.
The Council for Trade and Economic Development will have general oversight of the Centre.
