OAS Technical Assistance Initiatives: Supporting a transition to a sustainable energy future in the Caribbean. Presented by: Mark Lambrides

Transcription

1 OAS Technical Assistance Initiatives: Supporting a transition to a sustainable energy future in the Caribbean Presented by: Mark Lambrides 1

2 OAS: Policy Organization and Development Strategy The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS) is the premier forum for multilateral dialogue and concerted action in Latin America and the Caribbean. GS/OAS serves 34 member states of the hemisphere Representative Offices in most of its member states Department of Sustainable Development Energy and Climate Change Mitigation Section See for more info: 2

3 Caribbean Energy: Key Characteristics/Challenges Nearly 100% of the electricity and transportation in the Caribbean is fueled by imported petroleum products (T&T is the exception) High levels of indebtedness Small, isolated energy infrastructure Equals some of the highest electricity prices in the world Environmental impacts associated with diesel generators and transportation fleets have negative effects on the environment and tourism economy Limited competition among electric utilities Climate risks are significant -Hurricanes, sea level rise, increased frequency/strength of extreme weather events 3

4 Aggregate Energy Supply and Demand Interconnections and Regional Sources of Energy According to recent World Bank Study, Relying on diesel and HFO is the most costly solution There are multiple fuel and power supply options that offer cost-effective alternatives to the current situation, including, pipeline gas, shipped LNG, and renewables (geothermal, wind) interconnected via submarine cable Investment requirements are large but production cost saving are huge Energy efficiency and conservation needed to compliment diversification of energy supplies Requires countries to improve legal, regulatory and institutional framework and cross-country cooperation 4

5 Multiple Layers of OAS Technical Assistance Policy Development Capacity Building Education and Awareness Resource Assessment and Project Identification Project Document Preparation/Liaison (Contract, PPA, Financier Relations ) 5

6 OAS: Caribbean Technical Assistance Activities Caribbean Sustainable Energy Program (CSEP) [EU supported]: National Energy Policies and Project Implementation (OECS countries plus The Bahamas) ECPA Caribbean [USA DOS supported]: Pilot Projects; Interconnection studies; MDO dialogue; university partnerships; training US-Brazil Biofuels Partnership [USA DOS supported]: Policy development and TA (Haiti, DR, St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica) Geo-Caraïbes: Geothermal development (Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, plus SVG and Grenada) Solar water heater lending (Grenada and St. Lucia) 6

7 Policy Assistance in the Eastern Caribbean Support the adoption of broad policy tools that encourage the development and use of sustainable energy technologies and systems Country 1 Primary assistance provided by GIZ/CREDP Results St. Vincent and the Grenadines -National Energy Policy Adopted in Sustainable Energy Action Plan Adopted in 2010 St. Lucia -Sustainable Energy Action Plan Adopted in National Energy Policy Adopted in Grenada -National Energy Policy Adopted in Sustainable Energy Plan - In Draft Antigua and Barbuda - National Energy Policy Adopted in 2011 St. Kitts and Nevis - National Energy Policy Adopted in 2011 Bahamas -National Energy Policy Final Draft Completed 2 Dominica -National Energy Policy Final Draft completed -Sustainable Energy Plan - Final Draft completed 2 Primary assistance provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

8 Project Evaluation, Negotiation, Resource Assessment, Interconnection Studies St Kitts New 3 mile submarine cable to St Kitts shoreline New 2 mile line to Nevis shoreline Nevis Geothermal plant 8

9 What next? Establish implementing legislation and regulation Ease access to investment finance Support transaction closure efforts (negotiate contracts/ppas, review engineering designs/proposals, facilitate financing ) Extend educational/awareness efforts 9

10 Thank You! Mark Lambrides Section Chief Energy and Climate Change Mitigation Department of Sustainable Development - DSD Executive Secretariat for Integral Development - SEDI Organization of American States 1889 F St. N.W. Washington, D.C , USA T F