A Cayman government building programme has been named best energy-efficiency project by the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum held 7 -9 May in Miami.
The Ministry of Sustainability’s two-year residential and public sector building energy efficiency initiative, funded by European Union’s Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme, concluded in January this year.
The programme focused on reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency in both residential buildings – specifically those constructed by the National Housing Development Trust – and public sector infrastructure.
Under the residential programme, 10 NHDT homes were selected to participate in a retrofit project. Energy audits led to installations of energy-saving measures such as spray foam insulation, solar panels and high-efficiency air conditioning units.
In one case, a homeowner reduced their electricity consumption from 2195 kilowatt-hours in September 2023, to just 715 kWh in September 2024 – a 67.4% year-on-year reduction. Another homeowner saw their monthly utility bill dramatically reduced from approximately $800 to $170.
In the public sector programme, 13 buildings across all three islands – including schools, libraries, post offices, the Cayman Brac Fire Station, Little Cayman airport and Parliament – underwent detailed energy audits. Based on the findings, retrofits of energy-efficient air conditioning units were installed at the West Bay Public Library and the Airport Post Office.
Minister for Sustainability Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, who was minister with responsibility for energy when this project was being implemented, said in a press release about the award: “This project highlights how energy efficiency can help homeowners reduce costs, and I’m excited to continue supporting similar initiatives. This award truly reflects the outstanding work being done by the Ministry in promoting energy efficiency and by extension, reducing the cost of living and improving the quality of life of the people in the Cayman Islands.”
This is the first programme of its kind in the Cayman Islands, pairing technical retrofits with community engagement and education. The ministry is using the lessons learned from these initiatives to inform and shape future energy efficiency programmes, ensuring continued progress toward national sustainability goals, the press release said.
In April 2025, the Ministry published Energy Efficiency Guidelines and hosted training sessions with contractors, architects and suppliers. These resources along with full programme details, are available on the government website.
‘A real impact’
Kristen Smith, senior policy advisor for energy at the sustainability ministry, accepted the award on behalf of the government.
“This initiative has made a real and measurable impact on our communities, demonstrating that even small changes can lead to significant savings in both energy use and household expenses,” she said in the press release.
“With the cost of living a top concern for residents and policymakers alike, empowering individuals to embrace energy-efficient practices is not just smart – it’s essential.”
Edward Turvill, who is a senior programme manager at RESEMBID, noted the importance of the programme. “For the people of the Cayman Islands, these projects highlight the significant cost-saving benefits accessible through the integration of renewable energy technologies,” he said in the release.
Pointing to the “transformative work” of the ministry, he added, “We are honoured by and incredibly proud of this partnership and the impact and achievements of these initiatives.”
The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum is the region’s largest energy industry network, and its annual industry awards celebrate excellence in projects, programmes, and individuals advancing the Caribbean’s clean energy transition.