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Strategies to Implement

Renewable Energy Technologies

in the Caribbean

IntRodUCtIon to reduce the region’s 92% dependency on fossil fuels
In 2013 the CARICOM Secretariat approved an energy (Caricom, 2013). Some electric utility companies are
policy; the objective of the policy is to ensure all citizens being negatively affected by failing to create strategies
of CARICOM have access to electricity, to ensure that to implement renewable energy technologies, which can
electricity rates are stable and affordable, and to promote results in losing market share for electricity generation.
the use of cleaner technologies within the energy sector The focus of this article is to present some key points
(Caricom, 2013). To begin the transition to cleaner from my doctoral study literature review to explore some
technologies the Secretariat awarded a contract to effective strategies for implementing renewable energy
Worldwatch Institutes to develop strategies and targets for technologies, which may be informative to leaders of
renewable energy for the region (Auth, Konold, Musolino, Caribbean electric utility companies.
& Och, 2013). The recommended short-, medium-, and
long-term targets for electricity generation from renewable bACKgRoUnd
energy sources are 20%, 28%, and 47% by 2017, 2022, There are several economic, social, and environmental
and 2027 respectively (Auth et al., 2013). In addition, the challenges associated with the use of fossil fuel for electricity
proposed short-, medium-, and long- term targets for generation; these challenges are driving governments
carbon-dioxide emissions for the region are 18%, 32%, to support electricity generation from renewable energy
and 46% by 2017, 2022, and 2027 respectively (Auth et sources (Jenner, Chan, Frankenberger, & Gabel, 2012).
al., 2013). To reach these goals, significant investments in Some governments of individual member states of the
renewable energy technologies is required. Caribbean community have created national policies to
promote investments in renewable energy production
AIm (Auth et al., 2013). Because of the geographical location
Electricity rates in the Caribbean are some of the highest of Caribbean islands, renewable energy technologies are
in the world due to the region’s dependence on imported technically viable as there is high presence of renewable
fossil fuels for electricity generation (Shirley & Kammen, energy sources (Blechinger, Seguin, Cader, Bertheau, &
2013). Caribbean governments are introducing targets Breyer, 2014). The landscape of the electricity sector in
for electricity generation from renewable energy sources the Caribbean region is changing as governments institute

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