Caribbean energy leaders will gather in the Bahamas for the annual CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference & Exhibition 2026, a regional gathering aimed at advancing practical solutions to the Caribbean’s most pressing energy challenges. The event is organised by CARILEC, the association of Caribbean electric utilities, and will focus on accelerating progress toward more resilient, reliable and sustainable power systems across the region.
The conference brings together utility executives, government officials, regulators, developers and technology providers from across the Caribbean to exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration on the energy transition. Discussions are expected to centre on renewable energy deployment, grid resilience, energy storage and the financing of clean energy projects, all within the context of the region’s vulnerability to climate change and the high cost of imported fossil fuels.
For the Commonwealth of Dominica, the gathering comes at a significant moment as the island pursues its goal of becoming the world’s first climate-resilient nation. Dominica has committed to transitioning to renewable energy, with geothermal development at the centre of its strategy. The government has been working with international partners to develop geothermal energy from the island’s volcanic resources, a project that could transform the country’s energy landscape by reducing dependence on diesel-generated electricity and lowering costs for consumers.
The CAREC conference has become a key platform for Caribbean energy stakeholders to share lessons learned and identify regional solutions. Past editions have addressed topics such as hurricane preparedness for utility infrastructure, the integration of solar and wind power into small island grids, and the role of electric vehicles in reducing emissions. The 2026 edition in the Bahamas is expected to build on those discussions, with an emphasis on practical implementation and regional cooperation.
CARILEC, which represents electric utilities in the Caribbean, has long advocated for a coordinated approach to energy planning across the region. The organisation argues that no single island can solve its energy challenges in isolation, and that shared knowledge, joint procurement and harmonised regulations can help smaller nations achieve economies of scale. The Bahamas venue also highlights the particular challenges faced by archipelagic states, where electricity must be delivered across multiple islands, a situation similar to that of Dominica and other multi-island territories in the Eastern Caribbean.
The conference also provides an opportunity for Caribbean nations to engage with international partners, including development banks, bilateral donors and private investors, who are increasingly interested in financing clean energy projects in the region. For Dominica, geothermal development has attracted attention from institutions such as the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank, and events like CAREC offer a chance to showcase progress and attract further support.
Details on the exact dates, venue and programme for the 2026 conference are expected to be announced by CARILEC in the coming months. The organisers have indicated that the event will include an exhibition component, allowing companies and organisations to display new technologies and services relevant to the Caribbean energy sector.
The meeting in the Bahamas underscores the region’s growing commitment to energy independence and sustainability. As Caribbean nations continue to recover from the impacts of recent hurricanes and face the ongoing threat of climate change, the shift toward renewable energy is increasingly seen not only as an environmental priority but as a matter of economic security and resilience.
