The Cayman Islands will host the Caribbean Transitional Energy Conference (CTEC) at the Kimpton Seafire Resort on 11-12 May 2017, establishing its position as a leader amongst Caribbean island nations in the transition to renewable energy.

The conference will provide a forum for delegates to hear distinguished experts discuss the latest advancements in renewable energy technology, as well as how islands can look to create models for sustainability that are both replicable and scalable.

The key note speakers will be famed ocean conservationist, Mr Fabien Cousteau of the Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Centre, along with Sir Richard Branson, who will deliver his speech via live video stream. Major sponsors of the event include the Cayman Islands Government and Dart, amongst others.

Mr James Whittaker, CTEC Organiser and President of the Cayman Renewable Energy Association (CREA) said the conference’s goal was to bring together experts and stakeholders in the renewable energy field who were committed to finding solutions for a sustainable world.

“The impetus for this conference was the unanimous support by Cayman Islands lawmakers for the country’s first energy policy in March of this year,” he said. “Legislative Assembly members voted 16-0 to back the document and its recommendations, including that 70 percent of the islands’ total electricity generation come from renewable energy sources by the year 2037.”

“The Caribbean Transitional Energy Conference is committed to supporting the delivery of the sustainability goals set out in the Cayman Islands National Energy Policy by raising awareness and promoting best practices, new technologies and entrants to market in Cayman’s renewable energy sector,” Mr Whittaker said.

“It is about ensuring sustainable social and economic growth through strong leadership, recognising the threat of climate change, the vulnerability of islands across the world and voicing our commitment to take measures for the future.”

The two day conference aims to generate innovative and practical solutions to facilitate the delivery of the Cayman Islands National Energy Policy and discussions will be themed around the most pressing sustainability needs of the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean region.

Among others, the conference program will feature discussions on low carbon pathways and the commercial opportunity, the regulatory framework, the utility business model of renewables and a review of renewable energy penetration achieved in island nations through new storage solutions.

“Cayman seeks to stand with other islands in the region and across the world to embrace a low carbon future and to stand on the front line of delivering secure, reliable and economically feasible energy solutions,” Mr. Whittaker said.

“I look forward to the conference’s productive outcomes providing solutions to the environmental challenges of the Cayman Islands and the region in the years ahead.”

Minister of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, Hon. Kurt Tibbetts, will also be speaking at the conference and is looking forward to Cayman’s future position as a leader in renewable energy.

“The recent passing of the National Energy Policy was an important step forward in Cayman’s journey to becoming an example for island nations when it comes to renewable energy.”

“Holding CTEC on our shores and hosting world-renowned experts on the subject at this conference, Cayman will continue this positive momentum in regards to sustainable energy and encourage our nation and the Caribbean region, to take climate change seriously. We look forward to being part of a non-carbon future.”

The Caribbean Transitional Energy Conference (CTEC) will take place at the Kimpton Seafire Resort, Grand Cayman on 11-12 May 2017.

Registration will include two days of programming, and an opening cocktail reception on the evening of Wednesday, 10 May.

Registration is now open at the rate of CI $500 / USD $609.76.

For more information on the CTEC schedule, registration and more, visit http://cteccayman.com.

Committed CTEC 2017 sponsors include: Cayman Islands Government, Dart, OTEC Cayman Islands, GreenTech Solar, Elms Consulting, Tower, NCB Group, CREF and CREA.

Photo caption:
James Whittaker, CEO, GreenTech Group and President, Cayman Renewable Energy Association (CREA), Hon. D. Kurt Tibbetts OBE, JP, Minister for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure and Pilar Bush, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Dart Enterprises Ltd, at Monday’s press conference to announce CTEC 2017.

About CTEC 2017
Cayman’s first transitional energy conference, The Caribbean Transitional Energy Conference (CTEC), will bring together local, regional and international delegates from public, private and non-profit sectors over a two day period to address local and regional climate change through the adoption of renewable energy. Industry experts will be speaking over the course of the conference, including Mr. Fabien Cousteau of the Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Centre and Sir Richard Branson, via video link, Founder of Virgin.