Challenges and Opportunities for the Energy Sector in the Eastern Caribbean: Achieving an Unrealized Potential

Abstract

This paper focuses on how the Eastern Caribbean can achieve its unrealized sustainable energy potential, where: "Eastern Caribbean" means Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and "Sustainable energy" means economically viable renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) projects that displace fossil fuel-based electricity.

Sustainable infrastructure for competitiveness and inclusive growth

“…Photovoltaic power generation, microhydroelectric generators, and waste separation plants for recycling are examples in which technology fulfills the dual role of increasing the supply of services and contributing to environmental sustainability through the development of a lower-emissions supply. Recent estimates (Gischler et al, 2013) show that the impact of adopting modern technologies that increase energy efficiency can be significant on the economy: the cost savings of importing fuel in Eastern Caribbean countries would represent 17% of the 2011 gross domestic product (GDP) if they were to adopt policies promoting energy efficiency and renewable power-generation policies. The adoption of the latest technologies can also help reduce service delivery costs, for example, through the installation of equipment capable of detecting technical losses in water and power distribution.…”