Turning Point for Caribbean Energy
By Kneyone Murray, Blue Planet Alliance Caribbean Director
The SEforAll Global Forum that took place in Barbados last week was a necessary gathering at a time of immense challenge for the Caribbean, a region that is facing pressure from all sides: political, environmental, and financial.
The conference brought together world leaders, innovators, and changemakers at the Lord Erskine Sandiford Center, all with one mission: to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy. Barbados, a nation already leading the charge on climate resilience, took this moment to launch the Barbados Energy Transition and Investment Plan. This ambitious plan is designed to slash emissions, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and secure a more sustainable future for all Barbadians by investing in clean-energy solutions.
The country’s strategy is bold: to expand renewable energy, lower energy costs, and create jobs while fortifying the economy against external shocks. But what truly made this forum stand out was its commitment to a just and equitable energy transition, at a time when equity has become a controversial word.
The Caribbean has often found itself at the mercy of external forces. Now more than ever, there is an urgent call to ensure that no one is left behind.
A Call to Action from Caribbean Leaders
Hon. Minister Lisa Cummings of Barbados set the tone with an impassioned plea: “How do we ensure all of us have access to clean energy? We need to be seen, we need to be heard!” She reminded the audience that these conversations have been happening for decades, from the 2008 meeting with Al Gore to the Bridgetown Plan of Action in 2024. Yet, despite all the talking, the Caribbean still struggles for inclusion. The time for empty promises has passed.
Minister Cummings called for the "3 C’s" (Creativity, Commitment, and Collaboration) as the backbone of the region’s clean-energy transformation. This theme echoed throughout the conference, urging attendees to move from words to action.
Following Minister Cummings was the CEO and UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, Damilola Ogunbiyi, who drove home the reality regarding clean energy: “Barbados holds a position of net zero in the next 10 years, so we wanted a solutions-based SEforAll agenda where no one is left behind.” This was the crux of the forum: finding tangible, actionable steps to ensure a future powered by clean energy.
Barbados Minister Lisa Cummings and Blue Planet Alliance Caribbean Director Kneyone Murray
Superwoman in the Room: Prime Minister Mia Mottley
One of the most unforgettable moments of the forum was the address from Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Despite battling the flu and having just presented the national budget in Parliament, she still made time to address the crowd. That level of dedication speaks volumes. It’s no exaggeration to say Mia Mottley is a force of nature, a true superwoman.
Her message was clear: small island states can no longer afford to be on the sidelines. The time for radical transformation is now. Her government remains committed to making Barbados a leader in renewable energy, but global cooperation is necessary to achieve this.
The Dark Cloud: Oil and Gas Interests in the Room
Despite the overwhelming positivity, there was an underlying tension in the room. The presence of representatives from outside the region, particularly from petrostates, sparked whispers: were oil and gas lobbyists creeping into the discussion? It’s a shadow that seems to follow every climate and energy transition event. While some took their presence with a pinch of salt, others saw it as a potential roadblock.
With key players like the COP29 President (Azerbaijan) and COP30 President-designate (Brazil) in attendance, alongside the Head of the Green Climate Fund, Bloomberg executives, and energy leaders from the U.S. and Europe, the stakes were high. Was this an attempt to steer conversations toward fossil fuel investments under the guise of transition? Or was it an opportunity to hold these stakeholders accountable? Only time will tell.
A Showcase of Innovation: Awards and Success Stories
The forum wasn’t just about discussion, it was also about celebrating achievements. The awards ceremony was a testament to the ingenuity of regions often overlooked in the global energy narrative. With over 2,000 entries from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, the event highlighted groundbreaking technologies and solutions designed to propel us into a cleaner future.
One particularly inspiring moment was seeing our past Blue Planet Alliance Fellow, Clement Williams from St. Kitts and Nevis, present the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA). His country’s energy targets are ambitious: by 2025, 100% of its annual electricity demand will be met by renewable technologies. The strategy includes geothermal, wind, and solar PV, as well as interconnecting the electricity grids of SKELEC and NEVLEC by 2030. It was also exciting to hear discussions about Blue Planet Alliance’s Blue Team potentially assisting with the new Integrated Resource and Resilience Plan (IRRP) for St. Kitts and Nevis — an example of collaboration in action.
Kneyone Murray with Blue Planet Alliance Fellows, from left: Clement Williams, Minister Konris Maynard, and Kerese Elliott
The Harsh Reality: Why Is the Caribbean Lagging?
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) laid bare a troubling reality: the Caribbean remains 80% dependent on imported fossil fuels. Not only that, but we pay over 50% more for power than our Latin American neighbors and have added 50% fewer renewables than the global average in the last five years. Why?
The answer is frustratingly simple: large companies don’t want to invest in the Caribbean due to excessive red tape. The bureaucratic barriers make it difficult for investors to navigate the region, keeping us trapped in outdated energy systems. GEAPP outlined that the 29 Caribbean SIDS have the potential to install 8,500 MW of renewable capacity, yet our total installed capacity remains at 23,000 MW. It’s time to remove the obstacles and embrace clean energy at scale.
Kneyone Murray with various representatives from Blue Planet Alliance partner CCREEE
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
A major theme of the forum was the need for continued collaboration. Some of the key partnerships reinforced included:
CARILEC: Showcased the vast geothermal potential in the Caribbean.
CCREEE: Our team had meaningful discussions with the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency about future collaborations.
CCSA: The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator continues to be a key partner, and we were proud to support their panels.
Ashley Lashley Foundation: Led by Blue Planet Alliance Global Ambassador Ashley Lashley, this foundation remains at the forefront of youth and women’s climate activism.
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI): We supported RMI’s David Gumbs on various panels, deepening our shared commitment to decarbonization.
Past BPA Fellows: It was incredible to reconnect with Hon. Minister Melford Nicholas from Antigua and Barbuda and Hon. Minister Konris Maynard from St. Kitts and Nevis, continuing to build on the momentum of past BPA Fellowship cohorts.
From left: Blue Planet Alliance Global Ambassador Ashley Lashley, Kneyone Murray, and Kerese Elliott
Looking Ahead: The Future of Clean Energy in the Caribbean
As the SEforAll Global Forum wrapped up, one thing was clear: the Caribbean is ready to lead. But to do so, we need to break down barriers, secure more investment, and ensure that energy justice remains at the core of our transition.
