FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MIAMI – May 1, 2023 | Deetken Impact was recently awarded two of 11 CREF Awards for Excellence, as announced by New Energy Events, hosts of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF). The 5th Annual CREF Industry Awards – which recognize excellence in projects, programs and people driving forward the clean energy transition in the Caribbean – were honored on stage at the 15th annual CREF in Miami.
Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy (DISE) CEO Fernando Alvarado, Partner & CIO Carl Black, and Managing Partner Alexa Blain accepted the award for Best Climate Finance Program for our Caribbean Basin Sustainable Energy Fund (CABEF), as well as the Best Commercial & Industrial Project for the CB Group Ltd. project in Jamaica, alongside Angella Rainford from SOLÉCO ENERGY. DISE portfolio company Soventix Caribbean, alongside Farfan & Mendes, was also recognized for the Best Energy Storage Project for the Lethem EPC Solar Plant + BESS.
“We are extremely grateful to USAID who supported the development of our Caribbean sustainable energy fund, to our investors led by IDB Lab who have provided the capital that is allowing us to invest in more than 20 projects in Central America and the Caribbean, and to the clients that have opened to our participation in the capital structure of their projects and companies. We’re committed to investing in the Caribbean region and continue to strengthen our fundraising efforts and further our growth. This award is a confirmation of the opportunity for impact investing in the Caribbean. We are determined to persist in accelerating the renewable energy transition.”
The Awards were established to recognize leaders in the Caribbean energy sector who are making a lasting impact on the development of resilient and renewable energy systems in the region. Many award winners are first-movers, carving a path for project development in the region. Others have been in the region for years, and understand the nuances and needs of island nations pursuing a clean energy future.
Award recipients were selected by an industry-leading Advisory Committee comprising Charlin Bodley, Manager with RMI’s Energy Transition Academy; Gillian Charles-Gollop, Executive Director, Corporate Investment Banking and Advisory, CIBC FirstCaribbean; Devon Gardner, Head of Technical Programmes at the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE); David Gumbs, Principal for RMI’s Global South program; and Christopher Straughn, Sustainable Energy Specialist with the Caribbean Development Bank.
THE WINNERS OF THE CREF 2023 INDUSTRY AWARDS:
- Best C&I Project: Caribbean Broilers Group, Jamaica | Soleco Energy (Jamaica) Limited and Deetken Impact
- Best Climate Finance Program: Caribbean Basin Sustainable Energy Fund (CABEF) | Deetken Impact
- Best Climate Policy/Program: Householders’ Right to Renewable Energy | Ministry of Energy and Business, Barbados
- Best Distributed Energy Project: Caban Systems
- Best E-mobility Project: Electrification of the Public Bus Fleet | Bermuda Ministry of Transport
- Best Energy Efficiency Project: COK Sodality Co-op CU Ltd
- Best Energy Resilience Projects:
- Abaco School Microgrids Project | The Bahamas
- Dominica Schools Microgrid Project | Clara Lionel Foundation
- Best Energy Storage Project: Lethem EPC Solar Plant + BESS | Soventix Caribbean and Farfan & Mendes
- Best Microgrid Project : Solar Island Energy and Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
- Best Utility Scale Project: Donoe Solar | St Thomas, USVI
Gillian Charles-Gollop, CIBC FirstCaribbean: “We had some excellent submissions from across the Caribbean. We see this as an enabler to help drive greater momentum for more renewable, energy efficiency and EV investments in our region.”
Matthew Perks, CEO of New Energy Events, comments: “Our panel of judges had the difficult task of evaluating a pool of exceptional finalists across all categories. The winners demonstrated an impressive level of sophistication, a testament to their commitment to excellence and innovation. This is an encouraging sign as we embark on the next phase of the energy transition in the Caribbean. We extend our gratitude to the judges for their expertise and dedication in the selection process, and we congratulate the winners for their well-deserved recognition.”
Charlin Bodley, RMI’s Energy Transition Academy: “At a time when radical implementation of renewable energy is critical to achieving climate and economic resilience among Caribbean nations, I am encouraged by the high quality projects submitted to the CREF awards committee this year. Highlighting the remarkable successes of these projects accelerates replicability and scalability of projects in the region.”
About Deetken Impact
Deetken Impact is a Canadian registered impact asset manager focused on delivering strong, stable returns to investors by supporting businesses that make a meaningful contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together with its joint venture partners, Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy and Deetken Impact Alternative Finance, Deetken Impact manages US$150 million in assets across five funds with a diverse team of seasoned investment professionals based in Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean. Together they have been an Impact Assets 50 Manager since 2020.
About The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF)
The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) is the premier annual meeting place for more than 500 energy sector and finance leaders who are united in a common goal: to ramp up investment in clean energy across the Caribbean. CREF is unique in terms of both its size, and in terms of the seniority and breadth of its participants. Backed by key government agencies and some of the world’s leading sources of development finance, CREF is a hands-on, results-oriented event and a vital forum for the region.