Last Updated on March 13, 2024, 10:47 AM AST by Anthony Morris
St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew attended the opening ceremony of the 3-day Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) Workshop on Tuesday. The workshop is scheduled from March 12th to 14th at Mariott Resort St Kitts and Nevis.
It is being held under the theme, “Right-sizing Electricity Regulations in Small Island States within the Caribbean: How far, how fast?”
The workshop is a collaborative effort between the Government of St Kitts and Nevis, the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREE), and the Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR).
The workshop invited several key stakeholders, Ministers of Energy across the region, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Domestic Transport in St Kitts and Nevis, Darryl Lloyd.
During the opening ceremony, PM Drew discussed and explored several innovative solutions including:
•Energy Insecurity
•Limited Access to Resources
•Outdated Infrastructure
•Deteriorating Grid Systems
He expressed his hope and urged the communities to make collaborative efforts for a sustainable and efficient energy future. “Let’s pave the way for a sustainable, energy-efficient future for St. Kitts and Nevis and the entire Caribbean region,” PM Drew added.
Notably, the workshop was aimed to facilitate and attract the residents with renewable sources of energy and address some common challenges faced by Caribbean islands related to energy and infrastructure.
Permanent Secretary Darryl Lloyd highlighted some hurdles faced by the Caribbean’s small island states, including, with small island states contending with limited access to resources, outdated infrastructure and the complexities of globalised energy markets etc.
He emphasised the crucial role of the Caribbean Electricity structure. He also focused on renewable energy integration, sustainability and the critical role of regulations. He further also stressed the importance of the workshop’s theme and emphasised the need for regulatory frameworks that recognize the unique circumstances of the region’s small island economies.
Meanwhile, several people on social media lauded the Prime Minister for this significant step towards energy resources. A user identified as Sheldon Benjamin noted, “This is so ambitious…and the implications so far-reaching… I’ve never seen a Caribbean nation push the global agenda so far up the field. Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew will go down in history as a great visionary leader.”
Another user noted, “Better under Labour”.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
