Caribbean Energy Week 2026 took place March 30 – April 1, 2026, at the Royal Torarica Hotel in Paramaribo, Suriname. The African & Caribbean Energy Network (ACEN) served as an official media partner for this landmark event, a role that perfectly aligned with our mission to champion sustainable energy solutions and strengthen cross-border collaborations between African and Caribbean energy stakeholders.
The event united government leaders, investors, and industry executives under the theme “Leveraging Energy Diversity Across the Caribbean” to showcase the region as one of the world’s fastest-evolving energy frontiers.
ACEN’s Media Partnership: Aligning with Our Mission
ACEN’s role as media partner reflected the network’s core commitment to empowering African and Caribbean communities through sustainable energy advocacy. This partnership directly advanced our goals in several key ways:
- Bridging Continental-Regional Energy Dialogues: ACEN’s media coverage amplified Africa-Caribbean synergies in logistics, technology, and energy investment, fostering cross-regional partnerships that benefit both Africa and the Caribbean
- Advancing Policy Maker Engagement: By broadcasting key policy discussions, ACEN enabled broader stakeholder access to high-level conversations on energy diversification, local content development, and regulatory reform
- Strengthening Stakeholder Collaborations: Coverage of structured matchmaking and deal-focused sessions connected our network members with investors, ministers, and operators working across the energy value chain
- Promoting Sustainable Energy Solutions: Highlighting the dual-track approach, balancing hydrocarbons and renewables, reinforced ACEN’s advocacy for clean energy policies while addressing energy poverty
- UN SDG Alignment: The partnership advanced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), central to ACEN’s humanitarian and energy advocacy work
Key Takeaways
1. Pragmatic Dual-Track Energy Strategy
Caribbean leaders advocated for a balanced approach that advances both renewable energy AND oil/gas development simultaneously:
- Hydrocarbons remain central to the regional energy outlook for the foreseeable future
- Renewables include geothermal, offshore wind, hydrogen, and solar for sustainable independence
- Global demand growth necessitates a pragmatic mix
- CARICOM Vision: Dr. Carla Barnett emphasized energy diversification while accelerating oil & gas to meet rising global demand
2. Major Hydrocarbon Developments
Guyana & Suriname Leading the Surge:
- Guyana’s Stabroek Block and Suriname’s GranMorgu project are transforming the region into a global hydrocarbon frontier
- Suriname’s timeline: First oil expected by 2028, gas by 2030
- TotalEnergies is advancing FPSO construction, subsea testing, and drilling campaigns for GranMorgu
- Companies involved: SBM Offshore, Shell, Weatherford
Grenada’s Fast-Track Licensing:
- Selective offshore hydrocarbon tender by the end of 2026 or early 2027
- 28,500 km² largely underexplored basin in Tobago Trough
- Virtual data room with seismic/well data plus revised production sharing contracts
3. Energy Financing Revolution
Afreximbank’s $5 Billion CARICOM Mandate:
- Expanded from $3 billion to $5 billion to support Caribbean oil/gas development
- Supports local content growth and energy sector collaboration
- Already backed Staatsolie’s stake in GranMorgu
- Building interregional platforms with CARICOM to attract capital and expertise
Key financing message: Broad access to capital is critical to turning energy ambitions into reality.
4. Caribbean Shift from Oil to Gas
Industry leaders emphasized that gas should be the foundation for long-term industrialization:
- Oil revenues alone are insufficient for sustainable economic growth
- Gas should power manufacturing, petrochemicals, and energy-intensive industries domestically
- Strategy centers on building integrated gas value chains to secure local markets
- Goal: Reduce energy costs and attract downstream investment
5. Cross-Border Infrastructure is Critical
Ports, pipelines, and power grids took center stage:
- Electricity interconnections between Caribbean states
- Natural gas transport networks
- Regional logistics hubs creation
- Infrastructure is seen as essential for energy security, trade facilitation, and economic integration
6. Renewables Scale Depends on Regulatory Reform
Key conditions for renewable energy growth:
- Transparent procurement processes
- Private sector-led investment
- Larger, aggregated projects to reduce costs
- Competitive processes improve pricing and bankability
- Market demand, grid capacity, and policy alignment will drive investment in geothermal, hydrogen
7. Local Content & Workforce Development
Multiple sessions emphasized capacity building:
- Energy projects require specialized skills in engineering, logistics, maintenance, and project management
- Need to reduce dependence on foreign labor
- Promote integration of Caribbean talent into energy projects
- Oil/gas revenue should support workforce development and private sector participation
8. Venezuela’s Re-emergence
Venezuela highlighted as a strategic energy player:
- An estimated 300 billion barrels of reserves
- Proximity to key markets drives regional supply opportunities
- Early entrants are positioned to secure favorable terms as reforms open the sector
- Renewed production supporting Caribbean energy security
9. U.S. Energy Partnerships Intensifying
U.S. focus areas:
- Suriname’s expanding oil and gas sector
- Regional energy security
- Modern infrastructure and workforce development
- U.S. firms’ role in exploration (APA Corporation working in Suriname)
- Caution against unsustainable external financing
10. Carbon Credits & Blue Carbon Leadership
The Caribbean is positioned at the forefront of carbon markets:
- Innovative REDD+ and blue carbon initiatives
- Both compliance and voluntary carbon markets
- Critical minerals needed for global energy transition
- New economic opportunities for Caribbean countries
Notable Speakers & Leaders
Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary General, delivered the opening keynote on energy diversification vision.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister, was a keynote speaker on the Caribbean energy landscape.
Patrick Brunings, Suriname Oil, Gas & Environment Minister, spoke on upstream expansion.
Melvin Bouva, Suriname Foreign Affairs Minister, advocated for a balanced energy strategy.
Ernesto Kesar, Trinidad & Tobago Energy Minister, emphasized regional cooperation.
Okechukwu Ihejirika, Afreximbank Caribbean Head, announced the $5B mandate.
Gilbert Yevi, Grenada Hydrocarbon Technical Working Group, shared offshore tender details.
Event Structure & Format
CEW 2026 featured a multi-track program designed to turn dialogue into tangible outcomes:
- Pre-conference Technical Workshops (including ESG approaches for offshore/renewables)
- Strategic Track (policy, investment, partnerships)
- Local Content Track (capacity building, workforce development)
- Structured matchmaking with pre-scheduled meetings
- Deal-focused sessions across the entire energy value chain
- Networking opportunities connecting ministers, investors, and operators
Economic Impact & Regional Transformation
Caribbean Energy Week 2026 symbolizes the Caribbean’s entry into a new economic era:
From a traditional tourism-dependent, services-focused, import-dependent fuels economy vulnerable to shocks, the region is transforming into an energy and industrial investment zone, a strategic global energy player with energy security through diversification and economic resilience through diversification.
The region is redefining itself as a strategic territory in the global energy sector, with investment, jobs, infrastructure, and regional cooperation at the heart of this transformation.
ACEN’s Strategic Value for Members
Through our media partner role, ACEN delivered critical value to our stakeholders:
- Policy Makers: Access to searchable coverage of ministerial positions, regional policy frameworks, and investment roadmaps
- Energy Companies: Visibility into emerging opportunities across hydrocarbons, renewables, and infrastructure sectors
- Investors: Intelligence on financing mechanisms, including Afreximbank’s expanded mandate and project pipelines
- Community Organizations: Information on local content requirements and workforce development initiatives
- African-Caribbean Partners: Structured pathways for cross-border collaboration grounded in mutual energy interests
This partnership reinforced ACEN’s position as a vital convening force for African and Caribbean energy advancement, advancing the network’s mission of sustainable energy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.
Looking Ahead: CEW 2027
The event continues annually, with CEW 2027 scheduled for March 30 – April 1, 2027, as the Caribbean advances investment and collaboration across the region. ACEN looks forward to continuing our media partnership and deepening cross-border energy collaborations.
Official Resources
Website: https://www.caribbeanenergyweek.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/caribbean-energy-week/
This recap captures the strategic momentum, investment opportunities, and policy direction that emerged from CEW 2026, positioning the Caribbean as a rapidly evolving energy frontier with Africa-Caribbean synergies driving the next phase of regional development. Through ACEN’s media partnership, we amplified these critical conversations and advanced our mission of empowering African and Caribbean communities through strategic energy advocacy and collaboration.
Lady B Bless Co-Chair African & Caribbean Energy Network (ACEN)
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