Cayman Islands Launches EPIC Committee to Drive National Energy Policy Implementation

The Government of the Cayman Islands has officially launched a new body, the Energy Policy Implementation Committee (EPIC). This crucial organization is designed to supersede the former Energy Policy Council (EPC) and assume direct responsibility for executing the updated National Energy Policy (NEP), which received Cabinet approval in April 2024. This significant structural overhaul signals the authorities' unwavering commitment to transitioning from mere declarations to tangible action. A more focused and streamlined execution mechanism is essential to achieve the nation's highly ambitious energy targets.

The primary mandate of EPIC is to coordinate the rollout of strategic initiatives, meticulously track key milestones, and ensure the comprehensive fulfillment of the plan endorsed by the Cabinet. The NEP sets an extremely high benchmark: achieving a 100% renewable energy generation level by the year 2045, supported by an intermediate goal of reaching 30% by 2030. However, the current energy landscape reveals a stark challenge, as only 3% of the country's electricity is presently sourced from renewables. This dramatic disparity underscores the critical need for immediate and accelerated development efforts to close the gap.

The composition of the newly formed Committee includes high-ranking government officials, representatives from utility service providers, and the regulatory body, specifically the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg). Minister for Sustainability, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, emphasized that the establishment of a proactive entity like EPIC is indispensable for the successful attainment of the NEP's objectives. To guarantee broad stakeholder participation, subcommittees are slated to incorporate members from the private sector and civil society. Key business stakeholders expected to play a vital role include the Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) and Island Energy Limited.

This decisive move directly addresses the persistent gap that has existed between stated energy goals and actual sectoral achievements. The replacement of the previous council indicates a strong desire to optimize the execution framework for the policy, which spans the period leading up to 2045. The refreshed NEP, ratified following a comprehensive five-year review, also contains novel provisions aimed at bolstering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the solar energy industry.

A key competitive measure involves limiting the participation of Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) in medium-scale projects—specifically those under 5 MW—to safeguard fair competition and protect consumer interests. This restriction is designed to foster decentralized energy generation and market diversity by giving smaller players a foothold in the renewable sector.

The creation of EPIC acts as a powerful catalyst for rethinking development approaches in light of global trends, where the rapidly decreasing cost of renewable energy technologies makes these ambitious targets increasingly feasible. The ultimate success of this endeavor hinges directly on the ability of all stakeholders—ranging from government agencies to private investors—to synchronize their efforts effectively. This represents a fundamental shift in focus from the theoretical formulation of policy to its practical, on-the-ground realization, fundamentally transforming the islands' energy infrastructure.