By Janelle Brown
Kingston; Jamaica – As climate change continues to dominate global news cycles, the Caribbean region is emerging as a leader in executing macro level changes toward sustainability. Most notably Prime Minister of Barbados and frontrunner for UN Secretary General Mia Mottley has used her platform to state the devastating effects of climate change in the Caribbean and the region’s resulting surge toward immediate implementation of environmental best practices. It is upon this backdrop that the 8th staging of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF VIII) saw key regional leaders in Alternative Energy converging on the AC Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica from November 7th – 9th.
The energy summit saw key decision-makers holding crucial discussions with thought leaders and industry experts from over a dozen CARICOM nations, and the implementation of Electric Vehicle infrastructure held centerstage over the course of the event whose theme was “Re-powering Transport”. Dr. James Fletcher, Chairman of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) and former Minister of Energy and Climate Change for Saint Lucia, called for participants to position themselves as champions of Sustainable Energy in order to create a true paradigm shift, noting “the commitment of a room full of delegates to serve as energy champions for the region, if nothing else, is a major step in the right direction.”
Participating industry leaders answered the call. Key to the conversation was Canada-based Flash Motors, which has launched its Caribbean operations out of Jamaica. The company served as premier sponsors of the event, and whose principals headed sessions for Government Utility Delegates regarding the de-carbonization of transport, as well as the development of policies , standards and procedures to support the buildout of infrastructure. Flash, the Caribbean channel partners of ABB, has joined forces with local governments in Jamaica and Guyana, and has already begun its regional infrastructure rollout. Also present were representatives from industry giants such as Huawei (China), Total Energies (France), and regional conglomerate the Grace Kennedy Group (LATAM) along with smaller regional players such as EverGo, National Commercial Bank (Jamaica) , Tropical Mobility, and the Jamaica Public Service.
Government leaders rallied behind the contingent of EV and Energy companies, noting that there would be a long road ahead to making a grand transport transition. Several delegates committed to supporting the EV shift including Ministers whose perviews span several portfolios such as Technology, Climate Change, and Transport and Energy. These included The Hon. Melford Nicholas, of Antigua and Barbuda; The Hon. Kerryne James of Grenada; and The Hon. Konris Maynard of St. Kitts and Nevis, who each committed to not only driving change within their respective countries, but to pushing for the accelerated use of domestic renewable energy sources.
Assistant Secretary-General of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Mr. Joseph Cox stressed the need for nations to creatively manage the EV switch, noting the economic potential for certain nations to become major suppliers of low carbon commodities within the emerging global market that is distancing itself from fossil fuels and petrochemicals. The region doubled down on their commitment to clean transport, as Cox also announced that a regional think tank would be established to support the emerging energy and EV sectors.
Carey Escoffery, CFO of Flash Motors noted that the event was both timely and inspired sharing “CSEF has become a priority in our annual calendar, and it is amazing to be part of this dynamic EV and Sustainable Energy community that has been steadily growing in the Caribbean over the last decade. With the changing tide of local government support we are seeing exponential growth in the sector and I anticipate nothing short of a transport revolution across this region of some 30 Million consumers”.
