The conference provides the CEOs with an opportunity to discuss issues impacting on the electricity industry and to improve their understanding of the operating environment and engage in strategic and operational planning. A total of ninety-six (96) participants were recorded. These participants represented the Electric Utilities, Sales & Manufacturing Companies, Financial Institutions and Government Agencies.

The programme received a regal start with a Gala Dinner at the Curaçao Marriott & Emerald Casino. The Guest Speaker Valdemar Florentino Marcha held the audience captive with his delivery of a cultural history of Curaçao.

The Chief Executive Officers Symposium:

The formal opening ceremony of the Symposium was attended by His Excellency Mr. Frits Goedgedrag, Governor of the Netherlands Antilles while the Keynote Address was delivered by the Honourable Errol Cova, Minister of Economic Affairs. In his address, Minister Cova commented on the impact of changes in the global environment on consumers, electric utilities and governments and their responses.

Topics presented and discussed were as follows:

› The diversification experience of Aqualectra, host utility by Steven Martina, CEO
› The diversification experience in the United States markets by Matthew Hasting of the Edison Electronic Institute;
› The use of branding as an integrated communication tool by Stradius Consultants;
› The use of Liquefied Natural Gas for Power Generation in the Caribbean-The case of Puerto Rico by Jaime Banchs of Eco Electricia;
› The Value Added Utility by Nigel Wardle of WRB Enterprises, USA;
› New Vision for CARILEC by Cletus Springer of Impact Consulting Services, St. Lucia.

Whilst in Curaçao, participants were taken on a tour of the Playa Canoa Wind Farm and the new Aqualectra 33MW Diesel Power Plant being constructed inside the ISLA Refinery by the firms MAN B& W and BWSC.

The Annual General Meeting of Members received and discussed the Annual Report of the CARILEC Secretariat and the Auditors for the year 2002. Members also approved the appointment of Price Waterhouse Coopers as the new auditors for the year 2003 and authorized the Board to fix remuneration.

The AGM also elected the following persons to serve on the Board of Directors:
› Andrew Gittens of the Barbados Light & Power was re-elected for another three-year term from June 2003 to June 2007;
› Steven Martina of Aqualectra will serve for a new three-year term from June 2003 to June 2007;
› The Associate members elected Chris Walker of MAN B & W to serve as their representative on the Board for a period of one year from June 2003 to June 2004, while Roel Verlaan of KEMA Consulting will serve as alternate representative; Members also agreed that the 2004 Symposium and Annual General Meeting would be held in St. Marteen.

CARILEC is an association of electric utilities, suppliers, manufacturers and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean. The Association is made up of thirty (30) electric utilities from Bermuda in the north to Suriname in the south, and thirty-eight (38) associate member companies involved in servicing the electricity industry.

As part of services offered to its members, the CARILEC Secretariat organises joint training and conferences annually. One such conference combines the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Symposium and the Annual General Meeting of members. The conference is intended to bring these top-level executives together for the discussion of issues affecting the utilities and the electricity industry as a whole and to strategize on handling potential opportunities or threats.

End

For further information please contact:

B. Cheryl Hosier
Member Services Coordinator
msc@carilec.org
758-452-0140