The Caribbean Energy Efficiency Lighting Project (CEELP) sought to catalyze the transition to low carbon economies and sustainable energy sectors through the provision of energy efficient lighting to communities in the Eastern Caribbean. The project assisted countries in removing the policy, capacity and investment barriers to energy efficient lighting. The project goals were aligned with the SIDS DOCK objective to increase energy efficiency by at least 25%, and the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) objective of doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The private sector was engaged for technical capacity building and support and technology transfer.

Implementation of the Caribbean Energy Efficiency Lighting Project (CEELP) included pilot projects in the Eastern Caribbean countries, which allowed for raising initial awareness and developing basic capacity in key stakeholders. A focus of these pilot projects was gaining of experience with technical qualities of LED SL luminaries, their installation requirements, operation and the testing and luminaire specification in future tendering process for street light replacement or installation. The Austrian Development Cooperation provided funds for the pilot project carried out in St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP). Because the CEELP was aimed at addressing barriers to the uptake of energy efficient (EE) lighting in the Eastern Caribbean, the implementation of the project was pivoted on the identification of such barriers. They included absence or inadequacy of policy and regulations, limited technical capacity, information and awareness and a lack of public and private funding for energy efficient lighting. With regards to policy and regulations, the project included revising, or creating, new energy performance standards for indoor and outdoor lighting, as well as a comprehensive review of international experience with laws, regulations and enforcement mechanisms, and financial incentives, with regard to EE lighting. Recommendations were provided for gradual introduction of the above into the Eastern Caribbean. The CEELP also included at least 6 pilot demonstrations, e.g. retrofits and new LED installations, in central governments, municipal entities, and small communities in the Eastern Caribbean. Energy audits were conducted on some pilots to provide rigorous information on energy savings and projected financial returns. Training sessions were delivered for technical specialists from government agencies and lighting companies (including private sector companies). These trainings also placed emphasis on building new capacities and improving employability, with a focus on women and youth. Media coverage and other public outreach on energy-efficient lighting were used to illustrate and visualize the benefits for environment, communities and global climate. The project worked with public authorities to advise on potential sources and combination of financing modalities and also seeks to leverage additional financing and partners using various approaches. Through these initiatives, the CEELP ensured that all barriers to EE lighting in the Eastern Caribbean are addressed, in order to facilitate up-scaling.

Significant emphasis was placed on increasing institutional and technical knowledge, awareness and capacity- building. Several technical and capacity- building trainings were held in 2015, engaging community representatives and members, as well as policy makers and technical experts. One example is the Knowledge Road Show which took place in Dominica and Saint Lucia, where various lighting technologies were displayed and benefits discussed, in an effort to raise awareness about energy efficient (EE) lighting. Government partners from each of the islands are involved in trainings as well. At the end of 2015, a training session was held in Barbados to evaluate the energy production and savings, costs, emission reductions, financial viability and risk for various types of EE Technologies, with particular emphasis on lighting. Trainings focused on youth and women, as seen in the Knowledge Road Show which visited the Bureau of Gender Affairs and the Dominica Youth Council and groups from the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Women’s Farmers and Producers, and several youth groups in Saint Lucia. Technology transfer plans included a donation of 5,000 LED lights to Dominica from China. The project also focused on financial mechanisms to promote EE lighting programs. There was also the introduction of state-of-the-art equipment and recycling services for the safe disposal of lamps in each of the seven islands. Trainings were conducted for the handling of this bulb-crushing equipment.

This project was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) using the direct implementation modality (DIM). Its implementation was overseen by a Project Board (PB) which was responsible for making management decisions for the project when guidance was required by the implementing agency. The PB played a critical role in project monitoring and evaluations by quality assuring these processes and products, and using evaluations for performance improvement, accountability and learning. The CEELP PB was chaired by UNDP Barbados and the OECS Sub-Regional Office (SRO), with overall responsibility and accountability. Other members of the board included a representative from CARICOM and one from the OECS Secretariat, as well as from the beneficiary countries (Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda). In the event that a consensus decision was unable to be made by the Project Board, the final decision rested with the UNDP Project Coordinator. A Technical Advisory Committee comprised of technical energy experts from institutions such as the University of the West Indies (UWI) and Caribbean Electric Utility Services Cooperation (CARILEC), among others, provided technical guidance to the Project Coordinator. Project Assurance was the responsibility of each Project Board Member, but in some cases it may have been delegated to a UNDP Barbados & the OECS Programme Manager in consultation with the Project board. National entities also had an important role in project governance. The respective national departments with responsibility for energy were actively engaged in the project in order to ensure coherence with the national programmes and policies, and for sustaining impact and future up-scaling. Among their functions were promoting public awareness; dissemination and review of calls for proposals and support to policy review and formulation.

United Nations Development Programme, Government of all participating countries (Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Commonwealth of Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis), Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Global Environmental Facility Trust Fund, Government of Denmark, OECS Commission, UWI, Caribbean Science Foundation, Balkan Light, CROSQ, Light Naturally Consulting, CARICOM Energy Programme, CARILEC, UNFCCC RCC, GIZ, Caribbean LED Lighting