The National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) will provide business leaders with an overview of its work to date on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at 3.00 pm.

Committee members, including public and private sector stakeholders, have been working for over a year to prepare a national policy to guide the energy sector through 2032. They are scheduled to discuss their mandate and findings so far with Chamber of Commerce members, as part of that organisation’s BE INFORMED series of meetings, at the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Centre conference facility in Governor’s Square.

NEPC Chairman Cline Glidden says the committee is well aware of the challenges that the Cayman Islands faces with regards to providing an energy product that is both affordable and secure.

“Our vision is to encourage a diversified sector that is supported by informed public behavior. We believe this will help to strengthen our economy in a number of ways: by reducing the cost of fuel; generating a demand for new products and services, and creating more jobs than are lost in the transition from fossil fuels. We would, of course, also be reducing the Cayman Islands carbon footprint,” Mr Glidden comments.

The development of a sustainable energy policy speaks to at least two key drivers in the Future of Cayman partnership between the Chamber and Government: building a smarter infrastructure and diversifying the economy.

Members of NEPC committees and subcommittees include: the Ministry of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture, Department of Environment, Department of Environmental Health, Planning, Lands and Survey, the National Roads Authority, Electricity Regulatory Authority, Petroleum Inspectorate, Chamber of Commerce, Caribbean Utilities Company, Cayman Brac Power and Light, Cayman Contractors Association (CCA), Cayman Society of Architects Surveyors and Engineers (CASE).

BE INFORMED is sponsored by Steppingstones. Persons can register to attend the event online at www.caymanchamber.ky.

The draft national energy policy will be submitted to Cabinet in the first quarter of 2012 after which the committee will begin a period of extensive public feedback.