ARE & OECS to Accelerate the Race to the Sun in the Eastern Caribbean Region
10 August 2021 – The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Eastern Caribbean Solar Challenge will be co-organising a dialogue on Advancing Policy & Mobilising Investment: The Eastern Caribbean Solar Challenge on 2 September 2021. The event is supported by the Caribbean NDC Finance Initiative (NDCFI) and GET.invest, a European programme that mobilises investments in decentralised renewable energy (DRE), supported by the European Union, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Austria.
In view of the launch of the Eastern Caribbean Solar Challenge by the NDCFI this year, the event will address key opportunities provided by the initiative and the different ways to get involved.
H.E. Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS, emphasised that: “Achieving an increased level of energy independence, diversification of our energy sources and reduction of energy prices will create a positive domino effect that will ultimately improve the overall quality of life in our region and support our resilience goals. The dialogue provides an avenue for key stakeholders to engage more meaningfully in the process of redefining the regional energy landscape.”
The sessions will also share practical insights for domestic and international DRE companies and investors to enter or scale up in the Eastern Caribbean market, with a focus on innovative technologies and business models, policy frameworks and financial opportunities. In addition, participants will be able to meet relevant business partners in the region via 1:1 meetings during a virtual GET.invest Matchmaking session.
Expected participants include private and public investors, technology providers, project developers, philanthropies, international funding partners and policymakers.
Mr. David Lecoque, CEO of ARE said that: “ARE is proud to expand its work and accelerate the achievement of SDG-7 in the Caribbean, together with strong partners such as the OECS. The dialogue is a very exciting opportunity to learn about the Eastern Caribbean Solar Challenge and catalyse exchanges between business partners, investors and policymakers in the Eastern Caribbean and internationally via the GET.invest Matchmaking session. We very much look forward to developing and maintaining active collaborations in the Eastern Caribbean to reach our shared strategic goals.”