CARICOM SG urges collaboration to harness Caribbean’s energy potential

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Carla Barnett on Tuesday called for stronger regional collaboration, investment, and innovation to unlock the Caribbean’s vast and diverse energy resources, while delivering the keynote address at Caribbean Energy Week 2026 in Paramaribo.

Opening her address, Dr. Barnett offered condolences following the passing of former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, recalling his leadership during key CARICOM meetings in 2022.

“[I would like to deviate] from my prepared remarks and simply share profound condolences from the Caribbean Community on the passing of former President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, who was the Chair of CARICOM when we had very important meetings here in Suriname in 2022,” she said. “We express our condolences to the Government and people of Suriname and of course to his family and his close friends. May he rest in peace.”

Dr. Barnett’s keynote, delivered under the theme “Leveraging Energy Diversity Across the Caribbean,” highlighted the Region’s wide range of energy resources, including hydrocarbons, natural gas, solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy. She noted that the Caribbean’s combined estimated renewable energy potential stands at 10,750 megawatts, describing the diversity as a strategic advantage for innovation, investment, and regional cooperation.

“The Caribbean region is endowed with a remarkable diversity of energy resources and capabilities, including hydrocarbons, natural gas, solar, wind, hydroelectric power, and geothermal energy,” she said.

Dr. Barnett pointed to recent offshore discoveries in Guyana and Suriname, alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s long-standing expertise in natural gas, as reshaping the Region’s energy outlook. She also highlighted emerging renewable energy initiatives in Barbados, Belize, and Jamaica as signs of a dynamic and evolving energy landscape.

“These developments signal the important truth, that energy in the Caribbean is no longer viewed solely as a sector of economic activity. It is increasingly recognised as a strategic driver of resilience, competitiveness, and long-term development,” she said.

Dr. Barnett stressed that collaboration within CARICOM and with international partners will be critical for expanding infrastructure, mobilising financing, and strengthening human resource capacity. She noted that cross-border gas development, shared infrastructure, renewable integration, and harmonised regulatory frameworks will be key to the Region’s competitiveness.

She also highlighted partnerships beyond the Caribbean, including engagement with Africa, Latin America, and global capital markets, as essential to expanding financing and scaling emerging energy technologies.

“These efforts align closely with CARICOM’s ongoing energy transition agenda, which supports Member States in advancing sustainable and resilient energy systems,” Dr. Barnett said, noting that the regional body is also developing a financing strategy to mobilise public and private capital for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

In addition to financing and infrastructure, she underscored the importance of developing local talent, including engineers, geologists, economists, regulators, and entrepreneurs, to ensure long-term benefits remain within Caribbean economies.

Dr. Barnett also acknowledged the vulnerabilities facing many small island states, including climate change exposure, reliance on imported fuels, and the need for resilient infrastructure, while emphasising innovation and forward-looking policies.

“Energy transition means mapping the way to diversify our energy platform, it does not necessarily mean exchanging one for the other,” she noted.

She concluded by urging stakeholders to build on the momentum from Caribbean Energy Week and carry discussions forward into CARICOM Energy Month, scheduled for November 2026.

“The conversations begun here should ripple far beyond this conference hall,” she said. “Every exchange of ideas, every partnership formed, and every commitment made brings us closer to a shared regional vision that supports sustainable growth and strengthens energy security, economic diversification, and regional cooperation.”

Dr. Barnett closed with a central message for the Region’s energy future:

“Energy unlocks development, but investment unlocks energy.”