The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) co-hosted by the Government of Aruba will take place at the Westin Resort & Casino from October 9-11. The forum seeks to convey the region’s favorable outlook for renewable energy deployment.

Prior to the event, the United States Departments of State and Energy, the Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA) and the OAS will hold a private meeting to discuss Caribbean perspectives on energy technology and policy. The core event will be inaugurated by OAS Assistant Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, who will address the importance of developing sustainable energy projects in the region. Mr. Mark Lambrides, Chief of the Energy and Climate Change Mitigation Section of the OAS Department of Sustainable Development, will moderate a session on geothermal energy focused on “Can we make geothermal work in the Caribbean without regional interconnection to justify the scale and the investment?” Participants will be presented with the latest updates from island nations boasting a potential for geothermal deployment. This meeting will take place at 9:00AM on Friday, October 11, 2013 at the CREF 2013 venue.

CREF 2012 gathered more than 400 senior-level government officials and private sector representatives from 40 countries, including 12 government ministers. Expected participants for this year will include senior government officials, utility executives, regional and international developers, and capital and technology provider experts. Developers will be offered an insight into regional engagement and investment opportunities. Governments and utilities will be able to attend technology sessions designed to provide them with a one-stop shop into the latest developments in renewable technologies and their application in the Caribbean.