AS the Caribbean observes CARICOM Energy Month (CEM) this November, the message from Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips is both compelling and instructive, warning that the region’s energy future must be built on innovation, collaboration and sustainability.

Energy, as the Prime Minister rightly said, is not a stand-alone sector; it is the backbone of national development. Clean, affordable, and reliable energy drives progress in education, healthcare, housing, agriculture, digital transformation, and industry.

It determines how fast nations grow and how equitably they share prosperity. Guyana’s energy transformation is therefore not confined to power generation; it is the foundation of social and economic advancement.

Prime Minister Phillips was clear. Guyana’s evolving energy landscape, balancing its petroleum wealth with massive renewable energy investments, offers the country and the wider Caribbean a rare opportunity to lead.

By harnessing natural gas for lower electricity costs while simultaneously expanding solar, hydropower and wind initiatives, Guyana is setting a model for sustainable diversification that aligns with regional and global climate goals.

But energy leadership cannot exist in isolation; the Prime Minister’s call for regional unity is critical.

His reminder that “by sharing knowledge, technology and resources, our efforts are firmly anchored in a collaborative commitment to move confidently towards a more secure, resilient and united Caribbean community” is a direct appeal for deeper co-operation among CARICOM member states.

The truth is, no single Caribbean country can shoulder the full weight of energy transition alone. The path forward demands collective resolve, shared investment, coordinated research and harmonised policy frameworks that strengthen energy security across the region. Collaboration must replace competition if the Caribbean is to thrive in a rapidly changing global energy market.

CARICOM Energy Month is not simply a celebration of progress; it is a call to continued action. Since its establishment in 2011, it has served as a platform to showcase innovation, track achievements, and encourage public participation in renewable energy efforts.

Yet the work ahead is substantial. Climate change, volatile fuel markets and rising global demand all underscore the urgency for transformation.

The Prime Minister’s call to citizens and businesses to conserve energy, embrace renewable technologies and support policies that protect the environment is timely and necessary.

The success of Guyana and the region’s energy transition depends on national buy-in. Every household, every school, every industry must play a role in conserving resources and adopting cleaner technologies.