The Caribbean’s foremost gathering dedicated to advancing clean and resilient energy systems is set to convene in Nassau next year, as organizers prepare for the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference & Exhibition.
Scheduled to run from October 18 to 22 at the iconic British Colonial Nassau, this year’s event is hosted by the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) in partnership with two local Bahamian energy leaders: Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC). Around 200 key stakeholders spanning utility executives, energy industry experts, government policymakers, regulatory bodies, international development partners and innovative solution providers will gather under the central theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition”.
Across the five-day event, attendees will dive into the most urgent energy challenges facing small island developing states across the Caribbean. Core discussion topics will cover critical priorities for the region: scaling up renewable energy integration into existing grids, expanding battery energy storage capacity, upgrading aging grid infrastructure to boost reliability, advancing geothermal energy development, optimizing remaining conventional generation assets, strengthening energy systems against climate-driven extreme weather, testing emerging clean energy technologies, and updating outdated policy and regulatory frameworks that slow transition progress.
Dr. Cletus Bertin, Executive Director of CARILEC, emphasized the non-negotiable role of cross-regional collaboration in moving the Caribbean’s energy goals forward. “The Caribbean cannot advance its energy transition in silos,” Bertin explained. “CARILEC’s core mission is to unite our regional energy community to exchange on-the-ground lessons, deepen collaborative partnerships, and co-develop practical, actionable solutions to the barriers that continue to hold back progress. Holding CAREC 2026 in The Bahamas creates a unique space to merge regional technical expertise with local implementation experiences, so we can collectively advance solutions that speed up the transition across every island in our region.”
For The Bahamas, which has already committed to a bold national target of 30% renewable energy generation by 2030, hosting the conference marks a key milestone in the country’s transition journey. BPL Chief Executive Officer Toni B. Pratt shared the country’s excitement to welcome regional peers. “As our energy sector continues to make tangible progress toward our 2030 renewable goal, we are thrilled to open our doors to colleagues from across the Caribbean for this critical gathering,” Pratt said. “CAREC 2026 gives us a valuable platform to share our own best practices, exchange lessons from on-the-ground projects, highlight the progress we have made across our island chain as we roll out our national renewable energy roadmap. We are eager to strengthen collaboration across the region and showcase The Bahamas’ work as we all work toward a more sustainable, reliable energy future.”
Nikita Mullings, Chief Operating Officer of GBPC, echoed that sentiment, noting Grand Bahama island’s own progress in clean energy adoption. “Grand Bahama Power Company is proud to stand as a co-host for CAREC 2026 and welcome energy leaders and stakeholders from across the Caribbean to our home,” Mullings said. “Grand Bahama has already made meaningful advances in integrating renewable energy, creating new opportunities to add cleaner generation while making our grid more reliable and resilient to climate shocks. CAREC is the perfect platform to share these on-the-ground experiences, exchange proven best practices, and explore actionable solutions to shared challenges from renewable integration to energy storage to grid modernization. We look forward to working alongside BPL, CARILEC and the wider energy community to strengthen regional partnerships and deliver a more sustainable energy future for all of the Caribbean.”
A highlight of the 2026 conference will be a dedicated industry exhibition, where companies will display cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, climate-resilient grid solutions, and emerging innovations tailored to the unique energy needs of Caribbean island nations. Organizers have issued a special call for Bahamian domestic companies and solution providers to book exhibition space, giving them a unique opportunity to connect with regional buyers and partners and showcase their local expertise to the broader Caribbean energy community.
To encourage local participation, organizers have introduced a special discounted registration rate of $1,000 USD for attendees based in The Bahamas. A limited number of sponsorship and exhibition booth opportunities are still available for organizations looking to engage with attendees. For full registration details and updated information on the conference program, interested parties can visit CARILEC’s official website at carilec.org or reach out to the CARILEC Events Team directly at events@carilec.org.
As the Caribbean faces growing threats from climate change and rising global energy costs, accelerating the transition to domestic renewable energy has become a top regional priority. CAREC 2026 aims to deliver more than just discussion: organizers are focused on creating a space for actionable collaboration, knowledge sharing, and long-term partnership building that will translate into tangible progress across the region in the years ahead.