The unavailability of reliable and updated energy information creates a major constraint for decision-makers in the sustainable energy sector in the Caribbean. Key country-specific energy data on existing policies, laws, stakeholders, prices, generation costs, resources, investments and potential project sites, is in many cases, not available or not up to date. The lack of quality information is perceived as a major risk by investors and project developers. Moreover, the awareness of key market enablers and the public regarding the opportunities offered by renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and services is low. As a result, the CCREEE aims to strengthen knowledge transfer to key regional institutions and stakeholder groups.
Particularly, the CCREEE implements the following key knowledge management and capacity development activities:
The CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub (CEKH) will act as an interactive repository of energy data and information and will support decision-making for the sustainable energy transition in the region. This will address the major data and information gaps which currently exist, reduce the need for resources deployed on the region’s data collation efforts and support the understanding of the impact of regional developments in sustainable energy;
An inventory of relevant research reports and documents on best practices, skills, knowledge and technology suppliers in the Caribbean, disseminated through the CEKH;
Guidelines on energy data verification, quality and harmonisation in cooperation with the CCREEE’S national focal institutions, the Regional Universities Network and other key partners;
A renewable energy and energy efficiency resource atlas to facilitate resource mapping in the Caribbean, via the CEKH;
The development of regional electricity capacity through Integrated Resource and Resilience Plans (IRRPs), which are resource planning processes utilities and regulators execute to plan appropriate infrastructure improvements and electricity capacity additions;
Regional capacity development efforts also cover, but are not limited to, the implementation of training workshops in e-mobility technology; grid integration and energy efficiency training for utilities; as well as gender mainstreaming within government agencies.
