Three solar power projects were launched under the $ 50 million UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund (UAE-CREF) in the Bahamas, Barbados, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The fund represents a colaboration between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Abu Dhabi Development Fund (ADFD) and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and this is the largest renewable energy initiative of its kind in the region.

In total, the three projects that broke ground in November will deliver 2.35MW of solar and 637kWh of battery storage capacity, while annually displacing over 2.6 million tons of carbon dioxide.

They will achieve a combined 895,000 litres of diesel savings per year, worth about $1.1 million.

Because of their dependence on diesel, the Bahamas, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines face some of the world's highest power costs. All three projects are designed in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria to withstand up to 160 miles per hour of winds and extreme weather.

Bader Almatrooshi, UAE Ambassador to Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica and Representative to the Caribbean States Association, will inaugurate the projects.

The director-general of ADFD, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi said,"We are confident that these projects will continue to drive socio-economic benefits to local communities in the Bahamas, Barbados, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines."

All three projects are significant steps forward in achieving the renewable energy ambitions of the three countries.

The Thomas A Robinson National Stadium 925kW Solar PV Carport Power Plant will displace 310,000 liters of diesel per year in the Bahamas, hoping to generate 30% of its power needs from renewable sources by 2030, saving the government $350,000 and offsetting 856 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

The project is the largest solar plant ever to feed into the national grid, setting a critical regulatory precedent for private future development.

The government is aiming at generating 100% of its energy from renewable sources in Barbados by 2030. The Bridgetown 350kW Solar PV Carport Power Plant and Bow Manston 500kW Solar PV Power Plant in Barbados are expected to save $381,000 annually by displacing 265,000 liters of diesel fuel and 975 tons of carbon annually as part of this objective.

The project in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines –with 600kW of solar PV and a 637 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery –is capable of supplying 100% of the daytime power requirements of Union Island. The plant alone also meets the energy needs of more than 30% of Union Island and will displace 320,000 liters of diesel fuel per year, saving $368,000 on the island and offsetting 825 tons of carbon per annum.

Commenting on the recent investments, Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said,: "These landmark solar projects will pave the way for further investments in clean energy across the countries."

Launched in 2017, the UAE-CREF plans to deploy renewable energy projects in 16 Caribbean countries in three cycles to reduce energy costs, increase access to energy, and improve climate resilience.

Since 2013, UAE foreign aid for renewable energy projects now amounts to nearly $ 1 billion, supporting over 40 countries.