CARICOM observes International Day of Clean Energy 2025

– As Guyana continues its renewable energy drive

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) joined the rest of the world in observing International Day of Clean Energy on Sunday, 26 January.
According to an article featured on its webpage, clean energy is fundamental to our survival, as it helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat climate change, and minimise air and water pollution.
It also promotes energy security, supports sustainable economic growth, and ensures a healthier environment for future generations, it noted.
The Region’s dedication to sustainable development and a cleaner, greener future is evident through many clean and renewable energy initiatives being undertaken across CARICOM Member States and through the work of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), a Community Institution, it added.
The feature noted that there is a concerted effort towards a unified approach to the sustainable energy transition, through the CARICOM Energy Policy and the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS), both adopted in 2013.
The approach is to utilise a well-balanced combination of the conventional and alternative energy resources available in the Region to advance sustainable development.

The article highlighted that collectively, the Region has pinpointed ambitious renewable energy targets in the C-SERMS. Beginning with a baseline of eight per cent in 2012, the initial aim was to reach 20 per cent by 2017, followed by 28 per cent by 2022, and a more substantial target of 47 per cent by 2027.
According to CARICOM, member States are actively implementing clean and renewable energy initiatives, as well as modern smart grids, to significantly enhance the reliability of energy systems.
These efforts are advancing the energy transition and system transformation, which are critical for increasing the share of renewable energy, promoting the use of cleaner fuels, and strengthening resilience, it added.
The feature concluded by stating that in recognition of International Day of Clean Energy, CARICOM urges that the region continue to partner and work together to advance the transition to clean and renewable energy within the organization.
Meanwhile, Guyana, also a member of CARICOM, continues to increase its clean energy resources, with the commissioning of several hydro and solar-powered systems, including the Kumu Hydropower project, slated for later this year.
Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar, in a presentation earlier this month regarding Government’s future renewable energy projects, noted that between the just commissioned 0.7-megawatt (MW) Moco Moco hydropower plant, and another at Kumu, expected to be commissioned by February, the communities of Moco Moco and Kumu, St Ignatius and some of the other communities in the Lethem periphery, will benefit from hydropower going into the grid, and allow for significant savings.
Deodat had further explained that these two hydropower facilities will cost US$12.8 million, and demonstrate the Government’s commitment to ensure it can meet the growing demand for power as the economy continues to expand.
Other areas where the Government has invested in renewable energy include (solar) home systems in Region Two; Kara Kara, Saxacalli, Santa Mission and Lower Bonasika creek, in Region Three; nine communities in Region Four; Moraikobai in Region Five; and several communities in Region Six, Seven and Eight.
A 0.6 MW solar PV farm in Leguan, a $292 million investment, is expected to be commissioned around April this year.