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support responsible energy sector regulations that encourages the reduction in
greenhouse gases and the expansion of e-mobility, and are investing in creating the enabling
grid infrastructure to support decentralization and e-mobility.
4. Increased resilience of Caribbean Utilities and CARILEC, is a vital outcome, as our region is vulnerable
to the impacts of climate change and its associated extreme weather events. The cost and pace of recovery
negatively impacts the lives and livelihood of the people in the region. We work together to increase our
ability to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand, respond to, and recover
rapidly from disruptions to the power sector through adaptable and holistic planning, technical and
financial solutions.

This Issue of our CE Journal highlights Geothermal as a potential game changer, at varying stages of
development within the Eastern Caribbean context. The article addresses key institutional and technical
capacity considerations for geothermal development within the OECS, as it relates to the planning,
development, management, and maintenance of geothermal projects; enhanced policy, legislative and
regulatory framework for supporting geothermal energy; improved knowledge management and public
awareness for geothermal energy; and improved regional coordination and collaboration for geothermal
energy. The OECS GEOBUILD Programme is highlighted as it represents a significant step towards a more
sustainable and secure energy future for the Eastern Caribbean. By building capacity, attracting investments,
and focusing on local development, the initiative paves the way for the region to harness its vast geothermal
energy potential effectively.

The exploration of offshore wind energy has the potential to result in significant advancements in several critical
areas, including progress toward decarbonisation, strengthened energy security, and potential improvements in
air quality. One of the articles in this issue highlights the fact that the establishment of offshore wind farms
carries inherent risks, due to low or average wind speeds and uncertainties regarding seabed conditions, in
Bermuda, which requires proactively implementing measures to mitigate these risks.

It is argued that the adoption of a procurement model, which includes additional preliminary studies in the
pre-procurement stage, namely wind measurement and seabed assessment, to effectively reduce the number
of unknown factors that potential developers would typically face, would make such projects a more attractive
investment. Furthermore, the authors contend that this innovative procurement model used in Bermuda,
could serve as a blueprint for other jurisdictions within the Caribbean facing similar challenges. By adopting
such a model, other islands in the Caribbean could also improve how attractive their offshore wind projects
are to developers which is a critical step to achieving progress towards their renewable energy ambitions.

In terms of the strategic outcome of increasing resilience, the CARILEC Line Workers Rodeo is of great
significance for the CARILEC Disaster Assistance Programme (CDAP) and for building greater levels of
resilience in the electric energy sector. The Journal article on this topic outlines the strong emphasis placed
on safety, learning, and mutual assistance for disaster restoration support for Caribbean Utilities, through
the multifaceted Line Workers Rodeo event and the overall CDAP. The CARILEC Line Workers Rodeo held in
April 2023 in St. Lucia marked the fifth year of the event and the first since the COVID-19 Pandemic, that halted
all face-to-face activities. The Line Workers Rodeo executed under the theme, “Championing Caribbean Line
workers for a Resilient Energy Future” stood as a pivotal event in the calendar of Caribbean Electric Utilities.

A framework that should be employed to make remote electricity services more sustainable is also examined
in this issue. It is argued that the Remote Electricity Services (RES) model allows for residents, a national
electric utility, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to work together in ensuring that remote citizens
continue to enjoy the benefits of electricity services by using technologies that are appropriate together
with preventative maintenance systems and local involvement of the end users. This paper identifies such
a framework and outlines how the RES model, through meaningful collaboration of key stakeholders, can
sustainably contribute to provide remote electricity services to areas without access to the public grid.

With respect to new energy services, the concept of the “SMART Home” is essential for our sustainable
future, and the challenge in the regional context, is to make it the norm and not the exception. The new line

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