The Renewable Energy Industry in CARIFORUM Countries

RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDER ASSESSMENT

3.17.6 | GIZ

GIZ is an international service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment. It has worked with the CARIFORUM office to support the institutional structures for the promotion of renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. One key project has been the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance (REETA) which sought to develop a regional energy strategy, create regional expertise and promote networks between actors. At the national level, GIZ helped countries to improve their regional policy framework for renewable energy and energy efficiency and strengthen the ability of the energy units of the CARICOM Secretariat to carry out their coordinating roles. While not a provider of cash, it contributes by way of: • Technical assistance • Training courses in renewable energy and energy efficiency • Development of curricula at educational institutions • Promoting and implementing pilot projects Businesses benefit when the above assistance is being offered and not from any specific request on their part. This assistance is normally aligned with the regional C-SERMS implementation. The TAPSEC is being implemented by GIZ.

3.17.7 | CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

The CDB was established in October 1969 and entered into force in January 1970. The Bank was created to contribute to the economic growth and development of member countries in the Caribbean, and to promote economic cooperation and regional integration, with special focus on the needs of the less developed countries in CARICOM. It also has a renewed commitment to climate resilience and the adoption and use of clean energy, RE and EE technologies, and has signalled the need for special measures of assistance for member states. The department for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency has been established to manage this portfolio. CDB provides funding to member states via: • Grants

• Low interest loans • Technical assistance

Ensuring that projects are bankable is important to the bank given its small size. Where gaps exist in good projects, technical assistance may be provided to bridge the gap. Other measures to reduce and mitigate risks are being explored. Keen support is extended to RE and EE projects linked to agriculture which provides some synergies for several member states. Requests for support are made by government and not individual businesses.

114

The Renewable Energy Industry in CARIFORUM Countries