The president of Belco has signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at increasing collaboration between the energy and tourism sectors in the Caribbean.

Wayne Caines, who is also chairman of the board of directors for the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation, signed the agreement between the organisation, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism on Monday, during the Carilec Energy Community Conference and Exhibition in the Dominican Republic.

Carilec said: “This groundbreaking partnership seeks to advance sustainable energy use, promote renewable energy adoption and enhance climate resilience across the Caribbean’s tourism and hospitality industry.

“The MOU underscores both sectors’ shared commitment to ensuring a sustainable and secure energy future for the Caribbean region, while supporting the region’s economic growth and environmental stewardship.

“The agreement provides a framework for co-operation in five key areas, namely knowledge sharing and research, policy and regulatory improvements, disaster resilience, membership exchanges and cross-promotions and capacity building and workforce development.”

Cletus Bertin, Carilec executive director, said: “Through this partnership, we are bridging these sectors to create opportunities for real, tangible progress in renewable energy deployment, energy efficiency and disaster resilience, ensuring that the Caribbean remains both competitive and sustainable.”

Sanovnik Destang, the president of the hotel association, highlighted the connection between the tourism and energy sectors.

He explained: “Hotels and resorts are among the largest energy users in our region, while utilities are essential partners in our growth and resilience.

“Across our destinations, we see progress — solar and wind projects in Aruba and Barbados, geothermal development in Dominica and policy reforms in Saint Lucia that are helping modernise our energy framework and encourage renewable investment.

“Yet renewable energy still provides less than 3 per cent of tourism’s power use, that must change.

Mr Destang added: “By combining tourism’s innovation with Carilec’s technical expertise, we can lower costs, cut emissions and strengthen resilience in the tourism sector.”

Carilec said a working group comprising representatives from each sector would be established “to develop annual work plans, oversee implementation and review progress”.

The MOU will remain in effect for three years and be renewable by mutual agreement.

Carilec concluded: “Ultimately, this alliance empowers Caribbean utilities and tourism stakeholders to work together towards a cleaner, more resilient and energy-efficient future that strengthens sustainable economic growth and competitiveness across the region.”