OECS and International Solar Alliance Partner to Advance Sustainable Energy Goals

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has embarked on a significant partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to accelerate the region’s transition to clean energy and bolster its resilience against the escalating impacts of climate change. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation, focusing on key areas such as securing financial resources, developing capacity, and providing technical assistance. The agreement signifies a strategic shift in the OECS’s energy policy, prioritizing solar energy as a cornerstone of its sustainable development agenda.

The MOU, signed during the Seventh Meeting of the ISA Regional Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean in Santiago, Chile, details specific objectives aimed at achieving a transformative energy transition. These include promoting existing regional sustainable energy initiatives like the OECS Sustainable Energy Framework, the OECS Greenprint, and the Caribbean NDC Finance Initiative. Crucially, the partnership seeks to mobilize public and private finance for solar energy projects, leveraging climate finance instruments and the ISA’s Global Solar Facility. Furthermore, the agreement emphasizes strengthening institutional capacities within the OECS through regional training programs, technical exchanges, and the establishment of Solar Technology Application Resource Centres (STAR-C) across member states.

This partnership is not merely about adopting solar energy; it represents a strategic investment in the future of the OECS, fostering resilience, economic independence, and overall sustainability for its people. The OECS has declared the next decade (2025-2035) as its Decade of Action on Sustainable Energy, highlighting the pivotal role of solar power in achieving its development goals. By reducing reliance on imported diesel, a significant source of energy in the region, the OECS aims to lower energy costs and stimulate the growth of a vibrant green economy, creating new opportunities and bolstering economic stability.

Key figures from both the OECS and the ISA have expressed their strong support for the partnership and its potential to transform the region. Hon. Kerryne James, Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy and ISA Co-Chair for the LAC Regional Committee, acknowledged the persistent financial hurdles faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in accessing the necessary funding for the energy transition. ISA Director-General, Mr. Ashish Khanna, emphasized the partnership’s role in establishing a regional Centre of Excellence for solar energy in the OECS, facilitating aggregated solar procurement and innovative digital tender platforms to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and attract significant private investment.

Dr. Didacus Jules, OECS Director General, underscored the transformative nature of the MOU, positioning it as a strategic investment in the resilience, economic independence, and sustainability of the OECS people. With the full participation of all six independent OECS states – Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – in the Santiago meeting, the agreement signals a united commitment to expedite the adoption of solar energy throughout the region.

This OECS-ISA partnership marks a bold stride towards energy independence and climate resilience in the Caribbean. As the region grapples with increasing climate change impacts and economic pressures, this collaboration offers a promising pathway towards a sustainable future. By transitioning to solar energy, the OECS aims to not only reduce its carbon footprint but also to enhance its energy security, stimulate economic growth, and improve the lives of its citizens. The MOU serves as a tangible commitment to translating vision into action and transforming the region’s energy landscape for a more sustainable and resilient future.