Bahamas News
CDB Meetings reveal Caribbean lagging in Renewable Energy, Billion$ needed to cross the line
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
June 15, 2022 – We need to find a way to lower our energy bills with renewable energy options and it’s going to take billions, but the CDB is proposing a new program to tackle it.
The CDB Accelerated Sustainable Energy and Resilient Transition 2030 (ASERT) will address volatility in the energy sector which is one of the most important challenges for the region. The CDB says they are aiming to fix the issues
and push the Caribbean towards more sustainable energy use with ASERT.
If we don’t channel our efforts into renewable energy our countries will end up being less climate resilient, there will be “major risks to poverty reduction efforts, the undermining of economic resilience efforts and risks of missing green trade opportunities”
This is according to Sustainable Energy Specialist Christopher Straughn who presented during the annual general meeting on Friday June 3rd. Straughn explained that most Borrowing Member Countries (BMC) experienced “energy insecurity” because of factors like their over dependence on one main source of energy, usually oil.
Straughn made the case that the region was full of renewable energy options but in order to harness them the sector requires 16 times more cash investments than it has now (about 1.25 billion.) He also noted that Borrowing Member Countries need to install 26,000 MW of renewable energy capacity of 1400 percent increase over the current rate to hit their 2030 goals.
The fact that oil is imported and demands foreign exchange for purchase is also a downside, as prices for shipping and raw material were subject to “market vagaries and geopolitics”
That is especially obvious this year as the Caribbean region has seen steeply rising oil prices as shipping companies raise prices and the war in Ukraine and embargos on Russian oil put a squeeze on the amount of oil available for purchase worldwide.
Even prior to the extreme insecurity of 2021 the combined Fuel Import bills of the BMCs were staggering, clocking $8 billion USD. An additional $1.8 billion was added to that in just the first five months in 2022. These facts make the case for switching to renewable energy all the more compelling.
The Caribbean is not yet where it needs to be to meet its 2030 targets but some countries are doing better than others. Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis all set targets to have over 80 percent renewable energy in country by 2030. So far Belize and Dominica are leading the pack being over the 40 percent mark. No other country has set such high performance targets or made it that far into their targets (almost 50 percent).
The Turks and Caicos Islands, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago all remain below 10 percent. This is where the ASERT-2030 Program comes in, there will be a robust dialogue to agree on transformative initiatives and strategize on how to move quickly but inclusively.
Some of those transformative initiatives include a resilient roofs initiative, wide scale greening of the public sector and harnessing offshore wind.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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