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The World Bank's flagship publication, Doing Business 2017: Going Beyond Efficiency, looks at the regulations that enhance or constrain business activity worldwide. In this year's report, Trinidad and Tobago was among the 10 economies that improved the most in 2013/2014 in areas tracked by Doing…
The 2014 High Level Caribbean Forum was held last week in Jamaica. Organised by the IMF, this year's forum focused on “Unlocking Economic Growth” in the Caribbean region. One of the take home messages was that the high cost of energy…
In 2012, Montserrat began developing the island’s first geothermal project. Funds were provided by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (roughly $13.5 million) and the Caribbean Development Bank, with in-kind contributions from the government itself. Iceland Drilling was awarded…
Caribbean states have promised to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and transition to a more renewable energy economy. Saint Lucia and Aruba has even gone so far as to vowed to transition to 100% renewable energy generation as part of the Ten…
In the brief span of five years, the U.S. Virgin Islands have cut their oil consumption by 20 percent. St. Croix is set produce 25 percent of its power from wind and solar by late-2014. Its quick progress may indicate…
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) aim to transform the energy landscape in the Eastern Caribbean. The three agencies will support the efforts of Eastern Caribbean states to reduce high energy costs and dependence on…
The new Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) was given the green light in July, 2014. The centre will become part of UNIDO´s Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres. The regional centre of excellence will support the…
Lefties Food Stall, a pint-sized eatery serving Barbados’ signature flying-fish sandwiches, recently became the first snack shack on the Caribbean island to be fitted with a solar panel. The nearby public shower facility sports a panel as well. So does…
CDB President, Dr. Warren Smith speaks with Bloomberg on how the Caribbean can make the transition to renewable energy by capitalising on available opportunities. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJNQGw1FmUY
Much of the interest in green economy, in the Caribbean, as elsewhere, revolves around its implications for the energy sector. Most Caribbean countries clearly want to reduce dependence on fossil fuels through the development of indigenous alternative sources that are…
Video by Elke Opielka http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFrGlP_X5oE
Last year, homeowners in Bermuda were able to lease solar panels for the first time. The offer from Alternative Energy Systems (AES) allows domestic users to get six solar panels installed with no upfront cost. However, there is currently no…
Island regions are largely dependent on imported oil for power generation. Local governments support renewable sources to limit exposure to volatile oil markets, but barriers hinder the development of a strong renewable energy sector. In an article in Energy Policy, Rebekah Shirley and Daniel Kammen…
