The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has partnered with several key stakeholders to launch the Caribbean Efficient and Green Energy Buildings Project – a groundbreaking initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of sustainable energy solutions across the region.
“Caribbean Green Buildings signals a new era of collaboration and innovation in the OECS for advancing our sustainable energy transition. By combining our sustainable energy expertise with the efficiencies of pooled procurement, we are delivering real solutions that will make our public buildings greener, our economies stronger, and our communities more resilient at a reduced cost.” – Judith Ephraim-Schmidt, Programme Director, Sustainable Energy, OECS Commission.
By strengthening regional unity through a coordinated approach, the Caribbean Efficient and Green Energy Buildings Project seeks to:
- Reduce carbon emissions and reliance on imported fossil fuels through increased renewable energy production and energy efficiency measures
- Enhance energy security and independence by leveraging local resources for sustainable energy production
- Support economic development and job creation in the renewable energy sector
- Demonstrate regional leadership in sustainable energy transition through harmonized regulatory frameworks, standardised technical tools, and shared capacity-building resources
The project, which boasts a funding budget of US$131.8 million (approximately EC$356.2 million), is comprised of grants and loans that will allow participating countries to demonstrate leadership in sustainable energy. A total of close to 500 buildings across Grenada, Saint Lucia, Guyana, and other participating countries will be retrofitted with energy efficiency measures.
The CEGEB project foresees the installation of an estimated 50,670 kWp (kilowatt-peak) of solar photovoltaics across participating countries, helping to reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs. As part of this effort, the OECS Commission aims to build on its experience in pooled procurement, which has enabled Member States to access critical pharmaceuticals and medical supplies more efficiently and cost-effectively for over 30 years. By extending this model to the sustainable energy sector, the OECS Commission seeks to:
- Aggregating demand to provide economies of scale in sustainable energy solutions
- Stimulating the development of a regional market for energy-efficient technologies
- Creating local green jobs and stimulating the economy
- Strengthening the capacity of public and private stakeholders to manage and maintain green energy solutions
The OECS Commission has committed to delivering tangible benefits to citizens across the region through the CEGEB Project, including:
• Reduced energy costs and increased economic opportunities
• Enhanced regional integration and cooperation through shared resources and capacity-building
• Increased resilience and adaptability to climate change and energy price volatility
The project is structured as a scalable, regional Series of Projects (SoP), allowing eligible Member States to join at different stages and benefit from a harmonized regulatory framework, standardized technical tools, and shared capacity-building resources. The success of the CEGEB Project will be pivotal in shaping the region’s sustainable energy future and accelerating the adoption of sustainable energy solutions across the Eastern Caribbean.
The Caribbean Green Buildings Initiative: Building Resilience and Sustainability
The Caribbean Green Buildings initiative, launched by the OECS Commission in partnership with key stakeholders, marks a new era of collaboration and innovation in sustainable energy development across the region. By combining expertise and efficiencies in pooled procurement, the CEGEB Project will deliver sustainable energy solutions that meet the needs of public buildings, making them:
• Greener
• Stronger
• Resilient
• At a reduced cost
This visionary approach, supported by energy regulatory resources from the CCREEE, will set new benchmarks and standards for energy efficiency and distributed renewable energy deployment in public buildings. The CEGEB Project offers a scalable and regionally harmonized approach to advancing sustainable energy development across the Eastern Caribbean, enabling participating countries to:
• Secure access to a harmonized regulatory framework, standardised technical tools, and shared capacity-building resources
• Demonstrate regional leadership in sustainable energy transition through tangible benefits and cost-effectiveness
• Leverage aggregated demand to provide economies of scale in sustainable energy solutions
OECS Decade of Action for Sustainable Energy Development
The OECS has launched the Decade of Action for Sustainable Energy Development (2025–2035), a unified commitment to accelerate the transition to affordable, reliable, and clean energy across the region. Guided by the Basseterre Declaration, the Decade of Action aims to expand renewable energy production, boost energy efficiency, and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. By fostering innovation and resilience, the Decade of Action seeks to create green jobs, lower energy costs, and drive sustainable economic growth.
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