The Caribbean region is undergoing a significant transformation in how it generates, stores, and distributes energy. As climate change intensifies and fossil fuel imports remain costly, Caribbean nations are accelerating their transition toward clean, sustainable power systems. Renewable energy—particularly solar and wind—is expanding across the region, supported by new investments in modern battery energy storage technologies.
According to the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and recent analyses by Climate Analytics, CARICOM member states have already reached 12% renewable electricity penetration, with a regional target of 47% by 2027. The region has installed over 700 MW of renewable energy capacity, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are increasingly being deployed to stabilize grids and manage variability from solar and wind generation.
A major driver of this momentum is the Caribbean Aggregation Procurement Programme, launched by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (RELP) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). This initiative aims to coordinate renewable energy and BESS procurement across Caribbean Small Island Developing States, with the potential to deploy 8.5 GW of renewables and storage, generate up to US$9 billion in savings, and create up to 36,000 jobs.
Battery storage is especially critical for the region’s energy transition. As the Caribbean Development Bank notes, utilities must modernize their grids to accommodate distributed renewable generation while maintaining reliability. BESS technologies help address this challenge by storing excess solar and wind energy, reducing variability, and supporting grid stability during peak demand or low‑generation periods.
Several countries are already advancing large‑scale renewable and storage projects. A World Bank–supported regional initiative is helping Grenada, Guyana, and Saint Lucia expand renewable energy use and improve energy efficiency as part of a US$131.87 million program to reduce dependence on imported petroleum, which currently accounts for around 90% of the region’s petroleum consumption—far above the global average of 21%.
Analyses from RMI further highlight that the Caribbean’s abundant solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro resources position the region to achieve near‑100% renewable energy by 2035, provided that storage technologies and grid modernization continue to scale across islands.
As the Caribbean embraces the technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution, advanced battery systems—paired with strong policy frameworks and regional cooperation—are becoming central to building a resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy future. The region’s progress demonstrates how small island nations can lead global innovation in clean energy deployment.
