{"id":63376,"date":"2021-12-30T12:31:50","date_gmt":"2021-12-30T16:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carilec.org\/?p=63376"},"modified":"2021-12-31T09:47:55","modified_gmt":"2021-12-31T13:47:55","slug":"press-release-carilec-hails-2021-a-year-of-progress-optimism-despite-significant-pandemic-related-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carilec.org\/press-release-carilec-hails-2021-a-year-of-progress-optimism-despite-significant-pandemic-related-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Release – CARILEC Hails 2021 a Year of Progress & Optimism Despite Significant Pandemic Related Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Meeting between CARILEC & High Commission of Canada: Mrs. Paule Turmel-John, Honourary Counsul of Canada (immediate left), Ms. Marthe Lemay, Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner (far left), Executive Director of CARILEC, Dr. Cletus Bertin (immediate right) and Marketing and Member Services Manager of CARILEC, Mrs. Alana Raymond (far right).<\/p><\/div>\n

Castries, Saint Lucia<\/em>, December 30th<\/sup>, 2021: <\/strong>Throughout 2021, CARILEC has remained true to its mandate of being the premiere electric energy solutions hub in the Caribbean.\u00a0 The Association has successfully weathered the challenges presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic; including a rapidly evolving events management sector, a significant adjustment to working remotely, and diversifying its offerings to effectively accommodate all members.\u00a0 Despite these difficulties, the Association has persevered and is concluding 2021 with much to be celebrated.\u00a0 These significant milestones include the commencement of the construction on a new CARILEC Headquarters Building with sustainable energy features, an impressive virtual event attendee record of over 1,600 conference and seminar attendees, and the strengthening of key partnerships with the Government of Canada, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, to name a few.<\/p>\n

From the first quarter of 2021, CARILEC embarked on a vigorous marketing campaign to promote twelve (12) conferences and seminars for the year.\u00a0 This campaign included the redesigning and modernising of all promotional materials, to present a modern online presence, while retaining the organisation\u2019s trusted corporate image.\u00a0 This strategic decision was well received by the membership, as the Association recorded 1,635 virtual event attendees throughout the year and several event sponsorships, achieving an overall rating of 80% for event value and satisfaction.\u00a0 CARILEC extends its sincere gratitude to all sponsors for their generous contributions towards our events\u2019 success and their overall support of the Caribbean\u2019s electric energy sector.<\/p>\n

The second quarter commenced with a celebration of the Ground-breaking of CARILEC\u2019s new headquarters building in Castries, St. Lucia on April 9th<\/sup>, 2021.\u00a0 The event was streamed live on the Association\u2019s social media platforms with remarks from key stakeholders.\u00a0 Still in April, following the explosive eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Mr. Thomas Mitschke, CARILEC\u2019s Energy Solutions Advisor (ESA) accompanied a Detailed Damage Assessment Team (DDAT) to the island.\u00a0 The team comprised of specialists from CARILEC, CDEMA, CARPHA, CARDI, RSS, FAO, PAHO and UNICEF.\u00a0 Mr. Mitschke conducted a damage assessment of the island\u2019s electricity sector and presented a formal report to CDEMA and the SVG Government.<\/p>\n

CARILEC also prioritised its corporate social responsibility mandate, providing a donation in kind to the renal unit of the Owen King European Union Hospital in St. Lucia, in collaboration with the Lions Club of St. Lucia.\u00a0 The Association is keen on partnering with other local and regional non-profit organisations to assist communities as needed.\u00a0 The quarter concluded with CARILEC delivering a presentation on its Disaster Assistance Program (CDAP) at the popular CANTO webinar series, \u2018CANTO Conversations\u2019.\u00a0 This episode focused on \u2018Unique Pandemic Lessons to Better Prepare for Multi-hazards\u2019.\u00a0 The webinar also featured presentations from CDEMA\u2019s Executive Director, Ms. Elizabeth Riley and CANTO\u2019s Chair of the Disaster Risk Management Committee, Mrs. Heather Wallen-Bryan.<\/p>\n

The highlight of the Association\u2019s third quarter was the hosting of the CARILEC Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Conference which attracted eight (8) valued sponsors, including the Government of Canada.\u00a0 The Government of Canada has partnered with CARILEC to provide various forms of support and assistance to the Caribbean\u2019s electric energy sector, especially as it relates to the transition to renewable energy.\u00a0 Additionally, CARILEC\u2019s has partnered with the following developmental organisations by securing grant funding of approximately USD1.5 million, for the advancement of initiatives in keeping with its strategic objectives, including contributions to approximately 20% of total payroll cost of the Secretariat, through the following:<\/p>\n