Ms. Felicia Cox and Ms. Meshia Clarke were duly elected as the President and Vice President of the Barbados Renewable Energy Association (BREA) at its Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024.
Ms. Cox is a registered engineer with close to twenty years’ experience in engineering and renewable energy. She was a part of the original organisational team of BREA and is well known in the industry as an advocate and technical expert, having participated in legislative reviews and educational standards development, among other initiatives. Ms. Cox’s current activities in the sector include involvement in bio-energy and photovoltaic+battery projects. She also sits on the Engineers’ Registration Board and on the Executive Committee of the Barbados Association of Professional Engineers and holds the prestigious Certified Energy Manager designation.
Ms. Clarke has been an integral part of BREA’s transformation, having served in the capacity of Executive Director of the Association spearheading several public education and communication initiatives as well as successfully executing a number of capacity development and export promotion interventions for its members. As a development specialist she has also supported the Caribbean region’s renewable energy transition efforts having worked with agencies such as the German Development Agency- GIZ and the United Nations Development Programme MCO for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
Returning to the Board of Directors are Mr. Peter Gollop, Treasurer, Mr. Andrew Lord, Information Officer/Director, Mr. Neilsen Beneby, Director, Mr. Richard Goddard, Director, and Mr. Robert Goodridge, formerly President and now Director. Joining the Board is Ms. Karlquisha Sargeant as Secretary.

Ms. Cox on her election to the role of President expressed her appreciation for the confidence expressed in her capabilities and stated that, “While the next year will be challenging, I look forward to helping to move the needle in terms of the sector’s further development”. She also reaffirmed her commitment and that of the Association to “the meaningful engagement of all stakeholders and partners within the energy industry, as it remains the bedrock to successfully achieving the renewable energy transition.”

The Annual General Meeting was attended by a cross section of the Association’s membership, who participated both face-to-face as well as virtually. Mr. Roger Blackman, Managing Director of the Barbados Light and Power Company was the featured speaker at this year’s Annual General Meeting and in his presentation he made the point that, the energy transition is one which requires “the careful balance of trade-offs between the drive towards renewables, reliability and affordability for all.”

He also noted that this is happening at a time when the industry is facing “unprecedented challenges coupled with opportunities for growth” which includes “policy and regulatory changes, the diversity between meeting customer and employee expectations and the advancements in technological innovation.”

The President-elect noted that the new Board would have its work cut out for them, given the plethora of challenges facing the sector. She therefore thanked the outgoing President and Vice- President, Mr. Robert Goodridge and Mr. Stephen Worme respectively, for their tireless work and commitment to the sector over the last year. Highlighting the need to maintain a collaborative approach among membership, the Government and industry partners,Ms. Cox noted that “communication, collaboration and a solution oriented approach will be key” in driving the sector forward. This is particularly important given the goal of achieving a “transition to 100% renewable energy transition where a mix of appropriate as well as cost effective renewable energy technologies, form part of an energy solution which is in the best interest of every Barbadian.”

For more information on the Association or specific details regarding upcoming activities and initiatives. Please feel free to contact the BREA Secretariat via email at info@brea.bb or secretariat@brea.bb or telephone 429-5357.