ACTIVITIES

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean face unique challenges associated with the generation and use of energy. Most Caribbean island nations depend almost exclusively on imported petroleum for their energy, including both electricity generation and transportation. This high level of dependence leaves these countries vulnerable to the volatility of international oil prices and results in a tremendous drain of capital for imports. Likewise, Caribbean islands are particularly vulnerable to the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel consumption such as sea level rise and increased strength and frequency of hurricanes.

The Department of Sustainable Development within the Organization of American States received financing from the European Union Energy Initiative (EUEI) in 2008 for the implementation of the Action entitled: Increasing the Sustainability of the Energy Sector in the Caribbean through Improved Governance and Management. The working title for the Project is Caribbean Sustainable Energy Program (CSEP).

Primary Objective: Facilitate the adoption of energy policies and legislation in the seven Project Countries pertaining to address the market conditions for the development and use of renewable energy and energy efficiency systems by mitigating the barriers to their use

Project Countries: St. Lucia; Dominica; Grenada; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Antigua and Barbuda; and The Bahamas, and Barbados as observer country.