Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister responsible for Energy, Melford Nicholas, has been elected Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean at the 16th Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly, currently underway in Abu Dhabi.

The appointment places Antigua and Barbuda in a senior leadership role within IRENA’s Assembly Bureau at a critical moment for global energy transition efforts, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Following his election, Minister Nicholas held high-level discussions with Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, focusing on Antigua and Barbuda’s energy priorities and practical strategies to accelerate renewable energy implementation across SIDS. Key areas of discussion included mobilising investment, strengthening delivery partnerships, and building projects that are resilient to climate shocks.

During the official opening of the Assembly, Minister Nicholas delivered the country’s national statement, outlining Antigua and Barbuda’s push toward a more affordable, resilient, and sustainable energy future. He highlighted the country’s vulnerability to imported fossil fuels, noting that fuel and related costs currently account for an estimated 67 per cent of utility revenues.

The minister emphasized the need to accelerate the rollout of solar and wind energy through phased and hybrid approaches that support a just transition while managing grid stability risks. He also underscored the importance of reinforcing and climate-proofing energy infrastructure to withstand hurricanes and other climate-related impacts.

Nicholas called on international partners to expand access to concessional financing and to better recognise the unique challenges faced by SIDS and vulnerable middle-income countries. He further advocated for risk-mitigation solutions, including insurance and reinsurance mechanisms tailored to renewable energy facilities in small island states.

The minister acknowledged partnerships that are already delivering results, citing support from the United Arab Emirates for a hybrid solar project on Barbuda, alongside contributions from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the CARICOM Development Fund. He also stressed the importance of regional collaboration through institutions such as the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which play a key role in pooled procurement, training, and access to financing.

Later in the Assembly, Minister Nicholas chaired a ministerial-level session, reinforcing Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership within IRENA and its commitment to developing finance-ready renewable energy projects that deliver long-term, resilient outcomes.

The 16th Session of the IRENA Assembly and related meetings runs from January 10 to 12, 2026. Minister Nicholas is accompanied by a national delegation that includes H.E. Ruleta Camacho-Thomas, Climate Change Ambassador; H.E. Theon Ali, Ambassador; H.E. Brian Challenger, Adviser to the Minister; and Ms. Karen Burton, Director of Operations and Energy within the Ministry of Information, Communication Technologies, Public Utilities and Energy.