21 November 2011: Seven Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries held the first annual “Energy Week” event during November 2011 to educate their residents on issues related to energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy use.

Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis celebrated Energy Week from 7-11 November 2011, while Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines did so from 14-18 November. Activities included seminars, energy awareness fairs, school project competitions, and radio and television public service announcements.

Energy Week was mandated as an annual event by the 35th Special Meeting of CARICOM’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Energy held in March 2011, to be part of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Program (CSEP). CSEP was formed in 2008 by the CARICOM Secretariat, the Caribbean Electric Utilities Association (CARILEC) and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), to address the special market conditions of, and mitigate barriers to the development and use of sustainable energy in, the small island developing States (SIDS) of CARICOM. CSEP is funded by the European Union (EU), with the Organization of American States (OAS) serving as executing body. [OAS Press Release]