Minister of Energy, Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications & Information Technology, Melford Nicholas, (front row, 4th right) at the third meeting of the OECS Council of Energy Ministers (screenshot from OECS YouTube)

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At a gathering at the St Kitts Marriott Resort, energy ministers of the Organization of East Caribbean States (OECS) convened to address the region’s pressing energy challenges and set a transformative agenda for the future.

Led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Energy Minister, Melford Nicholas, the two-day meeting has highlighted the critical need to reshape the energy landscape over the next decade amidst skyrocketing electricity costs, which currently burden member states with rates ranging between EC$0.41 and EC$1.08 per kilowatt-hour.

During the opening ceremony, OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules underscored the urgency for a fundamental shift away from dependency on fossil fuels.

The meeting’s centerpiece is the OECS Sustainable Energy Roadmap for 2025-2035, which aims to ramp up renewable energy usage within the region.

The ambitious plan sets a target of achieving a 30 percent renewable energy penetration by 2030, with each member state committing to at least 20 percent, rising to an impressive 50 percent by 2035.

Moreover, the call for regional cooperation resonated throughout the meeting, as Dr. Jules urged member states to unite their efforts.

He advocated for collective strength to secure better terms for technology transfer and climate financing, crucial components for the successful implementation of the roadmap.

The conference aims to empower the region, positioning it at the forefront of sustainable tourism and clean energy innovation.

As the meetings conclude, ministers are expected to endorse the transformative roadmap, paving the way for a proactive decade in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions across the OECS.