| In a significant move, the US has committed to helping the Caribbean develop clean energy projects that would ease the region’s dependence on fossilGuyana was represented by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (l) and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment. Robert Persaud. Also present was Trinidad’s PM, Kamla Persad-Bissessar (centre).fuel.In a joint statement issued Tuesday after the first ever Caribbean Energy Security Seminar held in Washington, D.C, this week, participants agreed to take measures to help realize financing for low carbon projects where electricity can be generated through wind, solar, geothermal power, hydropower, bioenergy, ocean energy and energy recovery from waste.Among other things, the joint statement said, there is a commitment between the US and the Caribbean to develop an open, transparent, competitive and criteria-based processes, including liberalization where cost effective, to procure energy investment and facilitate access to finance for cleaner and climate resilient energy projects and infrastructure.There will also be “Data and energy information exchange and coordination with, between, and among countries and stakeholders to minimize duplication and enable the monitoring and evaluation of energy projects to maximize the impacts of efforts toward fully integrated, low carbon and climate-resilient energy transition plans.”Representing Guyana at the summit were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud.The statement committed the US and the region to seek ways wherever possible to ensure alignment of national legal and regulatory approaches to facilitate greater clean energy investment throughout the region, provided that countries can access finance and other resources on affordable terms and “to set the stage for future electrical interconnection in keeping with the goals of Connect 2022”.Hosting the event was US Vice President, Joseph Biden.In addition to CARICOM members, also participating were Canada, Colombia, France, Germany,Nike Men Air Max 97 For Sale, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Suriname, United Kingdom, United States, CARICOM Secretariat, Caribbean Development Bank, European Union, Inter-American Development Bank Group, International Renewable Energy Agency, Organization of American States, and the World Bank Group.The joint statement noted that representatives recognized that energy security, access to energy, economic development, environmental and climate goals benefit from and contribute to sustainable, modern, clean and diversified energy sectors.It was also noted that that lowering energy costs can increase competitiveness in tourism, manufacturing and various other sectors of the regional economies.It was also recognized that the private sector has an important role to play in developing the energy sector in the region, and that there is potential for greater public-private partnerships.“We state our commitment to support the Caribbean’s transformation of the energy systems of Caribbean states, to share lessons learned through new and expanded regional information networks, to report progress in relevant fora…” |
