As the third annual Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) in Barbados gears up - promising to bring together some of the biggest names in business, science and politics - the Chairman is seeking to form and subsidize a Bahamian delegation to take part in the groundbreaking event.
Jerry Butler, a Bahamian, quite literately hopes to change the world. That may sound trite to some ears, but for Butler, the event speaks for itself. "We have the financiers, the utilities, the multi-laterals and some high level policy makers," the Chairman of CREF told Guardian Business.
"These are serious heavy-hitters looking to explore significant renewable energy initiatives in the Caribbean."
Running from Oct 12 until Oct 14, the event will see representatives from the U.S., Canada, France, New Zealand, Jamaica and Bermuda, among other countries. CREF includes a government roundtable, focus groups and panels for leaders in the utilities, banking and the investment world.
The welcome address on Oct 13 will be conducted by Albert R Ramdin, the Assistant Secretary general of the Organization of American States. The keynote address will be delivered by His Excellency Gerrit F. Schotte, the Prime Minister of Curacao, and he's joined by a long list of delegates, such as Ambassador Carlos Pascual, the Special Envoy and Coordinator For International Energy Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and Juliana O'Connor-Connolly, the Deputy Premier from the Cayman Islands.
Other confirmed speakers, among dozens, include Christiaan Gischler, Senior Energy Specialist at Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Melanie Nadeau, Senior Manager of Substantiability at Emera and Don G. Roberts, Vice-Chairman of Wholesale Banking and Managing Director of Investment Banking at CIBC World Markets Inc (the majority owner for First Caribbean Bank).
Butler believes Bahamians must have a chance to mingle and learn with this elite group. "What I want to do is make access to CREF easy for Bahamians," he said. "Since I am a Bahamian, I want to give this opportunity. I am prepared to provide financial assistance. All Bahamians who are interested in the energy business and see opportunities should be there, but I also want to attract students from places like [the] College of The Bahamas. They need a chance to meet people who actively finance and work in this area."
Last week, Butler was invited to Barbados to attend a press conference which officially designated the week of Oct 9 "Barbados Energy Week". It also announced the Barbados Energy Smart Fund. With financing from the IDB, the $10 million fund provides technical assistance grants and loans to Barbadians that are interested in partnering with stakeholders "to create a sustained renewable energy sector for Barbadians to actively own and participate in", according to Butler.
CREF will be held at the Hilton Barbados Hotel, and at the conference, it was further announced that the establishment is already sold out with more than 200 international investors registered to attend. Butler pointed out that, with a commitment to renewable energy, Barbados is an appropriate and apt host for CREF.
"Barbados has the most advanced solar hot water system - 90 percent of homes use it," he added. "This is a country that has tried and tested renewable energy and has a policy in place to make it happen." But for now, until Oct 12, Butler's focus is on Bahamians. The county has made many strides of its own in renewable energy in recent months, including a landmark deal between Bahamas Electricity Corporation and Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation in the U.S. to produce power for the general public - a first in the world, according to company executives.
The deal joins a growing interest and list of alternative energy companies within the country - and Butler hopes to tap this passion for the upcoming forum.
To take part in CREF, candidates are encouraged to contact Jerry Butler at jbutler@caribbeanenergyforum.com, or visit the website at www.caribbeanenergyforum.com.
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