Inclusive Energy Planning
We convene key stakeholders to establish a national energy vision, and develop a transition strategy to achieve that vision.
Islands Energy Program
Partnering to accelerate island economies energy transition from fossil fuels to a diverse platform of distributed, resilient renewable energy – creating a cleaner and healthier future for all.
Islands: Build Back Better
Islands are at the forefront of the climate crisis—both feeling its effects and pioneering solutions to build resilience.
Learn more about RMI’s work in the Caribbean, as featured on 60 Minutes.
Learn MoreA Transition to Renewable Energy
Learn how our Islands Energy Program supports island partners to transition from expensive and dirty energy sources to clean, affordable, and more resilient energy systems.
What Is the Islands Energy Program?
With an independent, objective, and fact-based approach, the Islands Energy Program brings experience gained from engagements with island governments, utilities, regulators, and civil society to solve the toughest energy challenges. The program works with island partners to develop clean energy pathways to meet national goals and development objectives.
Why It Matters
Island nations possess abundant local and natural resources, such as the wind, sun, and in some cases geothermal and hydro potential, which can be harnessed to provide low-cost, clean, affordable, local energy. High electricity costs, volatile global oil prices, and a reliance on imported diesel create a clear business case for distributed renewable energy. Incorporating resilient, clean energy solutions into existing energy infrastructure benefits utilities, governments, and communities.
What We’re Doing
Learn More
Project and Program Advisory
We develop, de-risk, and prepare clean energy projects for market in order to attract top project developers and companies.
Energy Leadership
We provide island energy practitioners with direct access to subject matter experts, and with a mechanism to exchange lessons and learn from each other.
WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED
- Facilitated the implementation of 26 projects totaling over 80 MW spread across 12 island nations that are either completed, under construction, under procurement, or plan to be tendered.
- Including the first renewable energy projects in The Bahamas, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Anguilla, Barbuda, British Virgin Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands.
- Worked with development partners and commercial lenders to leverage over $300 million in private and public sector clean energy investment.
- Led the clean energy transition planning process and supported the development of roadmaps for six islands to build resilient low-carbon futures: the British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, San Andrés and Providencia, Belize, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia.
- Collaborated with the Institute for Competitiveness and Sustainable Economy for Puerto Rico (ICSE-PR) and convened over 40 energy stakeholders who provided a collaborative approach toward a vision for reforming the Puerto Rico energy system.
- Developed a set of guidelines for policymakers, governments, utilities and insurance providers to design and construct solar PV ground mount systems to be Category 5 hurricane resistant.
- Co-authored The Bahamas renewable energy net-billing and interconnection policy and the Montserrat National Energy Policy.
- Launched an online knowledge exchange community for island energy practitioners, which has grown to over 1,400 members and is managed by CARILEC.
Our Partners
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Partner
Caribbean Electric Utilities Services Corporation
Partner
Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Partner
New Energy Events
Partner
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States
Partner
United Nations Development Programme
Partner
Caribbean Development Bank
Partner
Inter-American Development Bank
Partner
Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators
Partner
Resilient Power Puerto Rico
Partner
Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico
Partner
Solar and Energy Association of Puerto Rico
Partner
Puerto Rico Institute for Competitiveness and Sustainable Economy (ICSE-PR)
Partner
Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust
Partner
Puerto Rico Renewable Energy Consultants and Contractors Association (ACONER)
Partner
U.S. Department of Energy
Partner
Partner Islands
Anguilla
Partner
Antigua & Barbuda
Partner
Aruba
Partner
Bahamas
Partner
Belize
Partner
Bermuda
Partner
British Virgin Islands
Partner
Colombia (San Andrés and Providencia)
Partner
Dominica
Partner
Grenada
Partner
Guyana
Partner
Jamaica
Partner
Montserrat
Partner
Puerto Rico
Partner
Saint Lucia
Partner
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Partner
Turks and Caicos
Partner
US Virgin Islands
Partner
Our Team
Shelley Backstrom
Operations Leader
Kaitlyn Bunker
Principal
Christopher Burgess
Projects Director
Martyn Forde
David Gumbs
Principal
Sidney Jules
Senior Associate
Katie Lau
Owen Lewis
Operations Manager
Michael Liebman
Manager
Justin Locke
Managing Director
Fidel Neverson
Project Manager
Roy Torbert
Senior Principal
Resources
Open Projects
The Islands Energy Program is hosting a number of RFPs and RFQs
2021
REPORT
Green Stimulus in the Caribbean, Resilient Distributed Energy Resources Can Support Job Creation and Economic Diversification
2020
REPORT
Solar Under Storm
2020
Press Release
Rocky Mountain Institute and Clinton Foundation Launch New Guide for Hurricane-Resistant Rooftop Solar
2020
Blog
Implementing Puerto Rico’s Energy Transformation
2020
Blog
Don’t Miss RMI on 60 Minutes This Sunday!
2020
Blog
From California to the Caribbean
2019
Blog
Puerto Rico’s Electricity System at a Crossroads
2019
Press Release
10 Puerto Rican Schools Receive Resilient Microgrids
2019
Press Release
United Nations High-Level Political Forum Highlights the Government of Saint Lucia, the Clinton Foundation and Rocky Mountain Institute
2019
Blog
Islands Energy Program Recognized with Global Team Leadership Award
2019
Blog
A Locally Led Move Toward Microgrids in Puerto Rico
2019
REPORT
The British Virgin Islands Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy
2019
REPORT
Growing Risks to the Implementation of Puerto Rico’s Energy Transformation
2019
Blog
Part One—Critical Facilities: Where Government and Utility Services Redefine Resilience – Part One
2018
Report
Solar Under Storm
2018
Blog
Collaborating for Puerto Rico’s Energy Transformation
2018
Blog
Schools Stronger than Storms
2018
Report
Public Collaborative for Puerto Rico’s Energy Future
2018
Community of Practice
CARILEC Renewable Energy Community
2018
Blog
Solar Under Storm: Designing Hurricane-Resilient PV Systems
2018
Projects
The Islands Energy Program supports the development of over 20 projects
2018
Press Release
Mayreau Microgrid Project Kicks Off
2018