EU-Funded CIG Initiative Delivers Energy-Efficient Retrofits to NHDT Homes

The Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency recently provided 10 Cayman Islands homeowners with energy efficient products as part of its Residential Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme, which is supported by The Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID).

The RESEMBID programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France, aims to increase awareness and reduce energy consumption in the residential sector of the Cayman Islands by improving energy efficiency, facilitating retrofits and installing solar energy for 10 National Housing Development Trust (NHDT) homes.

Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency, said: “I am delighted to see the positive impact our Residential Energy Efficiency Programme is having on Caymanians. By providing energy-efficient retrofits, we are not only helping residents reduce their energy costs but also taking significant steps to protect our environment. This initiative is vital for both the well-being of our people and the sustainability of our beautiful islands.”

The first phase of the programme involved the analysis of NHDT residents through an application process and the development of selection criteria for 10 homes that formed the basis of the pilot project.

The criteria were based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, household income, disabilities, and energy usage. Following the selection, structural assessments and extensive energy audits were carried out on each of the homes to inform which retrofits and installations would be carried out on the homes.

Each of the 10 residences were recently fitted with energy efficient attic insulation with an R-value of 30, energy monitors to help residents keep track of their daily household energy consumption and air conditioning units with a 20 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating installed in their homes. Additionally, work is already underway to install solar panels on the homes, which will further reduce the homeowners’ reliance on electricity and lower their utility bills.

One of the 10 homeowners, retiree Ms. Joy Taylor-Ebanks, said: “I’m ecstatic! I’m over the moon to be selected to be part of this project and receive these new fittings. I’m gonna be chilling out – maybe it’s even going to be a little foreign inside there – cool and nice.”

Energy-efficient appliances and products can typically reduce household energy consumption by nearly two-thirds, and homeowners can save as much as $3,000 on utility bills per year on average by choosing these products and systems.

“They’re doing a lovely, wonderful thing for the community,” Taylor-Ebanks said of the Ministry’s programme. “I appreciate them. Big props to them, and I hope we keep in touch so I can tell them how cool I am!”

Following an open procurement process, the Ministry contracted local businesses Eco House, Parsons AC, Electra Tech and ProSolar to supply and install the products.

Installation for solar panels is expected to begin in September.

As part of the long-term benefits of the programme, the Ministry will be tracking the energy consumption of the 10 homeowners for the next 12 months, with the findings shared online for the benefit of the wider public.

The Ministry aims to launch more initiatives for retrofitting homes in the near future.

This is the second energy efficiency retrofit programme the Ministry has implemented. The Ministry is also responsible for the Cayman Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit (CHEER) programme which was launched in July 2023 to all Caymanian homeowners.

For more details on these programmes, visit www.gov.ky/energy .