Charter of the CARILEC Resilient Energy Community (CAREC)

A Community of Practice Powered by CARILEC

About CAREC

The CARILEC Resilient Energy Community (CAREC) is a dynamic, forward-looking knowledge portal that unites energy professionals across the Caribbean and CARILEC’s membership. CAREC is dedicated to advancing energy resilience, fostering innovation, and driving enterprise within the region’s electric power sector.

CAREC was updated as part of CARILEC’s strategic vision for the 2024–2030 period, following consultations with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The community functions as the primary channel for workforce development, collaboration, and access to business solutions, enabling CARILEC members to stay ahead of the region’s evolving energy needs.

CAREC provides its members access to  training, best practices, technical assistance, and mentorship, enhancing the region’s ability to manage energy transitions and improve grid resilience. CAREC serves as a unique resource for utilities, IPPs, consultants, and other stakeholders committed to the Caribbean’s energy future.

In addition, Caribbean utilities have the deepest understanding of their national grid dynamics, infrastructure, and challenges. CAREC capitalizes on this localized expertise, enabling the region to leverage years of wisdom, data, and insights to create value for CARILEC members and their respective energy stakeholders. We believe that the more trusted knowledge-exchange networks, the merrier and as such aim to connect with partners to leverage the power of networks. 

Strategic Alignment: CARILEC and CAREC

CAREC is a core service of CARILEC, designed to deliver on its mission by enhancing the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of energy professionals throughout the Caribbean.

CARILEC’s Vision

Working together to realize a sustainable energy future for the people of the Caribbean.

CARILEC’s Mission

We empower our members to achieve more, by facilitating access to business solutions, knowledge-sharing opportunities, advocacy, and mutual assistance.

CARILEC’s Core Values

• Innovation & Agility

• Collaboration

• High Ethical & Professional Standards

• Social & Environmental Responsibility

   

How CAREC Supports CARILEC’s Vision and Mission

CAREC translates CARILEC’s mission into actionable initiatives, empowering members to strengthen the energy sector through:

• Business-ready knowledge solutions

• Shared learning and regional innovation

• Opportunities for collaboration, enterprise, and resilience

• Workforce and leadership development

• Promotion of sustainability and ethical practices in the energy sector

CAREC Vision & Mission

Vision

A resilient, connected, and innovative Caribbean energy community—driving clean energy, enterprise, and regional opportunity.

Mission

To strengthen energy resilience and accelerate the Caribbean’s clean energy transition by developing talent, fostering enterprise, and enabling collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange.

Purpose of CAREC

CAREC is designed to:

• Centralize all CARILEC learning and workforce development activities

• Equip energy professionals with the tools to lead resilience, decarbonization, and grid modernization efforts

• Promote regional collaboration and shared solutions across utilities, regulators, academia, and the private sector

• Foster enterprise growth, focusing on innovation, inclusion, and real-world impact

• Leverage the deep operational insights of Caribbean utilities to create regional value for energy stakeholders

Strategic Objectives

Aligned with CARILEC’s 2024–2030 strategy, CAREC will:

1. Enhance Knowledge Sharing

2. Drive Thematic Collaboration

3. Promote Energy Resilience

4. Accelerate the Energy Transition

5. Support Talent Development & Enterprise

6. Foster Strategic Partnerships

7. Create Value for Members

    

Pillars of Learning

1. Organizational Leadership Development

2. Energy Resilience & Disaster Management

3. Low-Carbon Technologies & Services

    

Membership & Participation

CAREC is open to all CARILEC members and stakeholders in the Caribbean energy sector, including utilities, IPPs, consultants, academics, students, and other professionals. Access to CAREC content varies based on membership type, with full engagement opportunities available to members at all levels.

CARILEC offers membership categories with distinct fee structures and varying access levels. These include:

CAREC Engagement Roles

Your role within CAREC depends on your level of involvement within the Community of Practice and on the Knowledge Portal. This flexible structure allows members from different sectors to collaborate and drive regional innovation and resilience together.:

Key Activities & Services

CAREC offers a range of activities and services to support member engagement:

• Knowledge Portal – Access to curated training, best practices, and technical tools, document exchange, forum, media and experts. 

• Hybrid Events – In-person and virtual events for training, discussions, and expert panels

• Mentorship & Fellowships – Structured support for students and emerging professionals

• Thematic Working Groups – Focused groups on topics like energy storage, grid resilience, cybersecurity, etc.

• Innovation Challenges – Showcasing and developing new energy solutions from students and startups

• Recognition & Certification – Highlighting member contributions and achievements through awards and certification programs

Governance & Oversight

CAREC operates under the governance of CARILEC’s Secretariat with input from an advisory committee (CAREC Ambassadors) composed of CARILEC board members, employees of member utilities, strategic partners, and regional energy experts. The Advisory Committee ensures the strategic direction of CAREC is aligned with CARILEC’s goals and the needs of the broader energy community.

Shared Values

The CAREC Community of Practice is built on the following values, which all members are expected to uphold:

• Respect & Collaboration

• Knowledge Sharing & Innovation

• Data Responsibility & Cybersecurity

• Diversity & Inclusion

• Professional Excellence & Meaningful Contribution

These shared values form the foundation of a safe and productive community focused on energy resilience and sustainable development.

Sustainability & Growth

CAREC’s sustainability and growth will be driven by:

• Regular and meaningful member engagement

• Attracting and developing the next generation of energy professionals

• Strategic partnerships and funding opportunities or fund development.

• Continuous platform improvements based on feedback and data-driven insights

Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

CAREC’s effectiveness will be measured by:

• Engagement metrics and member satisfaction surveys

• Alignment with CARILEC’s long-term goals and regional energy strategies

• Continuous review of the platform’s services and content to ensure relevance to members

• Regular updates to this charter as needed to keep pace with industry changes

Conclusion: A Platform Built on Local Insight, Regional Vision

CAREC is more than just a knowledge-sharing platform—it serves as a resource for the Caribbean’s energy transformation. By connecting the deep local expertise of utilities with regional and global opportunities, CAREC enables members to drive the energy transition, build resilience, and create lasting value across the Caribbean power sector.

Through CAREC, CARILEC empowers its members to lead the region toward a sustainable, clean energy future—creating new opportunities, strengthening regional ties, and ensuring energy resilience for generations to come.

Join CAREC. Shape the Future of Caribbean Energy