Distributed energy resources (DERs) bring multiple benefits not only to electricity systems but also to communities and economies. Many islands in the Caribbean are transitioning from electricity systems that are traditionally centralized in nature and powered by fossil fuels to a new paradigm incorporating DERs.

While this transition has been underway for years, stimulus efforts to recover from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic should aim to accelerate progress in implementing DER solutions and provide other significant benefits.

The main need in the near term to support a successful recovery is jobs. Advancing DER projects such as solar photovoltaics (PV), wind, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency creates immediate and diverse jobs, including project managers, electricians, civil engineers, electrical and mechanical engineers, plumbers, machinists, heavy equipment operators, technicians, metal workers, general construction workers, designers, and salespeople.