Page 10 - CARILEC CE Industry Journal_Oct_2019

In a region where most electric utilities are still “We have technology that enables the provision of
government-owned, the idea of a hybrid business model electricity to be more efficient and more cost effective,”
can be a hard sell. International investors are actively says Dr Bertin. “We are embracing and promoting that
searching for opportunities in the renewables space, but and we see a different sort of landscape developing. It is
governments are often unwilling to relinquish control of within our reach and it is actually happening.”
such critical assets.
While CARILEC’s Strategic Plan runs until 2022, Dr Bertin
There is room in the market for both the public and does not see that as an end point but merely another step
private sectors, according to Dr Bertin who points out in the journey. He is wary of making unrealistic promises
that most investors come in with innovative ideas and and wants to push towards a realistic future, saying: “In
plans but are often unwilling to take on the more 2022 the landscape will still be in transition. We do not
mundane challenges of transmission and distribution — expect to have arrived at any end point. What we expect to
an area where they could partner with state utilities. But see is an energy market that has more certainty and some
if utilities are to adopt a more flexible business model, level of predictability for investors. We will also be using
they need flexibility in regulation. “We need a policy technology to determine the optimal energy mix going
framework to enable transition. We must have forward across each territory, as each has different
incentives and a legislative framework for investors to potential and different trajectories.
come in. This is where the government has been a bit
slow,” says Dr Bertin. “All of these things will be best enabled through
collaboration in the region and beyond. No man is an island
and the utilities sector cannot do it alone. Government,
WORKING SMARTER regulators, utilities and consumers all have a role to play.”
In the meantime, he urges the public not to be discouraged
While the sector is lagging in some areas, there are bright at the pace of change, saying: “As much as we become
spots of progress. Quite a few islands are upgrading their frustrated by the slow progress, and we should be
grids to make them smarter, using the latest technology frustrated, we also need to be mindful of how far we have
such as smart meters to track usage, highlight issues and come in a relatively short space of time. As small
crack down on illegal activity. independent developing states, the rate of progress is
phenomenal. We need to recognise our achievements but
In Saint Lucia, LUCELEC is using innovative travelling recognise that we have some way to go. We should push
wave fault locators which allow providers to remotely ourselves and never settle for mediocrity. This is not just an
pinpoint breaches in the system and send crews out to fix academic exercise for CARILEC. We all live and work in
the fault, cutting disruption from a matter of days to hours. this region, it is in our interest to see progress happen.”

GIS Symposium 2019

“GIS for Community Resilience and Sustainability”

November 14-15, 2019
Bay Gardens Inn, St. Lucia
Accomodation
US$120.00 per room per night For more information contact
with the Code “GISSYM”. [email protected]

08 CE INDUSTRY Journal Source: Star Businessweek