WASHINGTON, D.C. – A host of Caribbean government and industry leaders converged in the nation’s capital for the first Caribbean Energy Security Summit held on January 26th, hosted by Vice President Joseph Biden. Representing Anguilla were The Minister with Responsibility for Energy, the Hon Evan Gumbs, and David Gumbs, CEO of Anguilla Electricity Company, Ltd (ANGLEC). A series of panels discussed ways to promote a cleaner, more sustainable energy future through improved energy governance and greater access to financing.
“It was an honor to be included at this prestigious event,” said Hon Gumbs, “and to represent the island of Anguilla and our wonderful people, for whom we are working so tirelessly to gain knowledge and insights to guide and improve our magnificent island’s economic and environmental future.”
“I was excited to attend this event,” said Mr. Gumbs, CEO of ANGLEC. “ANGLEC is taking a lead role in diversifying Anguilla’s energy portfolio and this was a great opportunity to access players in the industry. ANGLEC has taken bold steps to transition to renewable sources of energy production. We have studied the matter closely over the years and are now taking bold steps in the interest of Anguillans by improving energy security, economics, quality and reliability.
“Specifically,” Mr. Gumbs continued, “ANGLEC is on track to generate over fifty percent of its average running capacity from renewables with its solar PV initiative going into production later this year and a waste to energy partnership expected to come on stream in the near future. With these initiatives, we will surpass almost all countries in the region and more than 95 percent of countries globally in percentage of energy produced from renewables.”
The Summit represented the latest in Anguilla’s on-going efforts to brighten the lives of its people through more effective and affordable use of its energy resources, particularly its abundant wealth of sunshine. Anguilla’s viable – and immediately usable — renewable energy resources include solar hot water heating, solar electricity production, and utility scale wind energy. In the near future, Anguilla will produce up to 4MW of energy from a waste to energy initiative.
“The sun-drenched island of Anguilla and solar energy represent a match made in paradise,” said Marvet Britto, Global Brand Strategist for Anguilla, who arranged for the island to be represented at the Summit. “It was a vital matter of importance that Anguilla be part of this comprehensive preview of the future of energy production in the Caribbean, and develop cleaner, more affordable energy sources that can be enjoyed by all Anguillans.”
One of the key panel discussions, “Comprehensive Approaches to Energy Transformation” was moderated by Michael Carr from the United States Department of Energy, and provided precisely the kind of focus needed to help island states, such as Anguilla, overcome their dependence on imported fossil fuels such as diesel to generate power. The Summit was intended to offer technical assistance, and help obtain financing and advice on regulatory changes that can attract investment, according to an official with the Vice President’s office involved in the event.
All of the Caribbean countries of the region, except Cuba, were expected to participate in closed talks that involved Biden and other U.S. officials as well as representatives of the European Union, the U.N., and multilateral financing agencies such as the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank.
The Summit began with remarks by the Vice President, followed by an energy security roundtable discussion and meetings with both heads of state and key representatives from the private energy sector. The event was hosted by the White House and the State Department as part of the Caribbean Energy Security Initiative begun in 2014.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
