Renewable Energy in the Caribbean
Snapshots of
Jamaica, Suriname, Barbados, Dominica
CONTEXT
Caribbean Renewable Energy
Development Programme (CREDP)
2004-2008/9
Global Environmental Facility (GEF)
financed.
 UNDP implemented.
 Govt of Germany (GTZ) supported.
 CARICOM Secretariat executed.

Multi-country visits by the CARICOM
Secretariat: Purpose
Advocate with Ministers of Energy to
confirm their commitment to Renewable
Energy.
 Seek feedback on CREDP and direction
for CARICOM Secretariat’s new Energy
Unit to build its capacity to serve the
Energy sector

CREDP Participating countries:
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Cuba
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St Vincent and the
Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
Hon. Clive Mullins, Minister of Energy, Jamaica
Among the initiatives
we have taken in
Jamaica is the wind
farm, producing 23
megawatts. We plan
to install 9 new
turbines; an
additional 18
megawatts
Latest on development and outreach of public
awareness in Renewable Energy uses

We have been
exporting Ethanol to
the United States for
a number of years.
 Now, we’ve started
to blend 10%
Ethanol in our local
gasoline. The
demand is
tremendous.
What has kept Jamaica steadfast on this path when
so many other countries from various parts of the
world vacillate depending on the world oil prices?
The experience of Brazil. During
the first oil crisis Brazil took the
decision to go into Ethanol
production. At one point the sugar
production was more profitable
than ethanol but they stayed the
course.
Ethanol – Gasoline Mix: Public Acclaim for
E-10
We anticipated using
3000 barrels per day
available from some
100 stations. Now,
consumption is
approaching 8000 per
day, outstripping
demand for other
petroleum products
including premium
gasoline.
Public Awareness of Renewable Energy
The consuming public in
Jamaica is benefiting
directly from Renewable
Energy. It has allowed
policy to leap from the
page to affect the pocket
and the consumption
patterns of our people.
Hon. Clive Mullins
Minister of Energy
Jamaica
Jamaica has used Hydropower for
over 60 years
What does energy security mean
to Jamaica?
We see energy as independence
and diversification.
Ideally it means:

Being able to grow as a nation
not stymied by the volatility of
oil prices.
 Avoiding a situation where
geopolitical issues routinely
affect our oil supply, and
consequently our economy.
Hon. Clive Mullins
Minister of Energy
Jamaica
High energy costs challenge Caribbean countries. Suriname’s
Minister of Natural Resources Prof. Gregory Rusland is
spearheading a 15-year vision for energy to 2023.
To meet the
demands of energy
over the next 15
years we will have
to go from over 150170 megawatts at
the moment to 325
megawatts in the
year 2023
Prof. Gregory Rusland
Minister of Natural Resources
Suriname
THE CONSULTATIVE APPROACH
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
The Ministry of Natural
Resources invited all the
management of major
companies, institutions,
and energy companies
along with some key
experts for three days; in
June 2008, to discuss the
situation and make plans
for the next 15 years.
A unique arrangement: Industry as part of a
national think-tank for energy and development.
The Minister of Natural
Resources mobilized various
energy institutions like the State
Energy Company of Suriname,
and the power company, to
support the ministry’s 15-year
vision.
A unique arrangement: Industry as part of a
national think-tank for energy and
development.
In bio-energy we involved
Statsolie the state oil
company because it has the
manpower, the human
resources, the finances, and
the structure to set up
projects quickly, so we made
use of people who were
much better paid than
government could.
This system is still working.
Hydro-power facility at Brokopondo
SURINAME: ENERGY POLICY
The policy statement
of the Government
of Suriname makes
it clear that energy
availability should
never hinder our
development.
Priorities

We examined many
possibilities including
nuclear energy, which we
rejected for the moment.

We feel that water is the
one major source which
must be utilized to the
fullest.
Prof. Gregory Rusland
Minister of Natural Resources
Suriname
A QUEST FOR POSSIBILITIES
Another possibility in
West Suriname is
provision of another 400
megawatts of energy to
power alumina smelters.
Once again, from a
Renewable Energy
standpoint hydro energy
would be the future for
Suriname.
Minister Rusland is also President of the Anton de
Kom national University of Suriname
We are proud that the
majority of Human
Resources managing
our energy sector are
graduates from the
University of Suriname;
the Faculty of
Technology, Department
of Electrical Energy, and
the Engineering
Department.
A Briefing at Anton de Kom
University for CARICOM/UNDP
Documentation of the public/private sector
consultation process: A possible template

IDB has been on-board
since 2007 because I
wanted an update of the
energy situation and a
clear vision for the next 15
years.
 It financed a study with
guidelines from my
ministry. These are
reflected in documents
currently available.
Prof. Gregory Rusland
Minister of Natural Resources
Suriname
Energy and Development:
A People’s Perspective
Once you provide
the energy to the
population you will
directly see
development. If
people can count on
the availability of
energy, they will
readily build houses,
create industries.
Role of the CARICOM Secretariat. What should we be
doing in the area of Energy and Renewable Energy?
CARICOM Secretariat
should seek out the
major expertise within
the Region and not try
to reinvent the wheel,
but try to make use of
the expertise that
exists in, for example,
Suriname, Trinidad
and other areas of the
region
Prof. Gregory Rusland
Minister of Natural Resources
Suriname
Research on Sugar Cane began in
Barbados in the 1800s
Research Director, Dr. Anthony
Kennedy recalls:
In 2003 sugarcane
varieties that could fit
specific requirements
were found at the West
Indies Central Sugar
Cane Breeding Station
where very-high fibre
sugarcane varieties are
maintained as
germplasm for routine
breeding purposes.
Dr. Anthony Kennedy, Director of the West Indies Central
Sugar Cane Breeding Station (CBS) receives the UNDP/
CARICOM Team
Director, Dr. Anthony Kennedy
recalls:

The CBS, one of the two
oldest breeding stations in the
world, has been breeding
sugarcane varieties in
Barbados since 1888.

During the last 40 years a
genetic base-broadening
programme incorporates
genes from the wild relatives
of sugarcane to improve cane
yield ratooning
Teaching tools
Barbados, Dr. Anthony Kennedy
Some vigorous hybrid
seedlings with very high
fibre, low sugar content,
and good ratooning
characteristics were
cloned and found to
have near ideal
characteristics as Fuel
Canes for biomass
production. Testing is
now underway.
The outdoor laboratory
Dr. Anthony
Kennedy opined that
it’s a pity St. Kitts
and Nevis closed
down its sugar
industry as this
could have been
used to produced
energy.
A Public Education Facility: William Hinds, Ministry of Energy
and the Environment, Barbados and Joseph Williams, Programme
Manager, Energy, CARICOM Secretariat
Hon. Charles Savarin, Minister of Energy,
Dominica
There was a time when
perhaps over 50% of
Dominica’s energy
consumption came from
Hydro. However, as the
demand for electricity
grew, the generating
capacity for hydro
remain static.
Political Will and Commitment:
Hon. Charles Savarin, Minister of Energy
We took a decision to encourage persons to go
into renewables and conserve on electricity
consumption.

We reduced the excise tax on fuel.
 We exempted tax on the fuel imported for the
generation of electricity.
 We removed import duties on Renewable
Energy-related items, e.g. energy saving
bulbs, electrical appliances, solar water
heaters.
Critical Renewable Sources
We have geothermal
resources in Soufriere
district.
We are satisfied that
there are significant
geothermal resources
in the North of the
island also.
Regional Commercial Options
If Dominica generates in
excess of 120
megawatts we have the
potential of selling more
than 50 megawatts to
Martinique and
Guadeloupe and
depending on the
potential to going further
North and South
SUMMARY
CARICOM Heads of Government
Georgetown, July 2009
Caribbean Community
Heads of Government
are committed to
exploitation of
Renewable Energy
sources as an
economic strategy and
a hedge against
Climate Change and
Global Warming.
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CHANDISINGH
CARLTON
JAMES UNIT
CARICOM SECRETARIAT