GUYANA will host some of the Caribbean’s leading engineers, utility executives, procurement specialists and energy industry stakeholders later this month when the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) stages its Engineering & Procurement Conference & Exhibition 2026.
The five-day event, scheduled for July 26–30 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, is being organised in collaboration with Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA). It will bring together regional experts to examine strategies for strengthening electricity networks and advancing sustainable energy development across the Caribbean.
Held under the theme, “Grid Modernisation and Resilience – Strategic Procurement in Focus,” the conference will feature technical presentations, panel discussions, roundtable sessions and case studies addressing key challenges facing the region’s electricity sector.
Organisers said discussions will focus on grid modernisation, resilient energy infrastructure, strategic procurement, and emerging technologies that can improve the reliability and efficiency of electricity systems throughout the Caribbean.
One of the conference’s main attractions will be an exhibition featuring more than 30 manufacturers, suppliers and technology companies showcasing products and services for the power sector. Exhibits will include transmission and distribution equipment, substation technologies, smart metering systems, communications infrastructure, safety equipment, engineering services, software solutions and renewable energy applications.
The programme will also include Utility and Independent Power Producer (IPP) Update Sessions, where regional utilities and private power producers will present progress on major projects and discuss future initiatives. Interactive roundtable discussions are expected to encourage collaboration and the exchange of practical solutions among industry professionals.
Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Power and Light Inc., Kas Nandlall, said hosting the conference reflects the importance of regional co-operation in addressing common energy challenges.
“The challenges and opportunities facing Caribbean utilities are increasingly shared, making regional collaboration essential to our collective success,” Nandlall said.
He added that the conference would provide an opportunity for utility leaders, engineers, procurement professionals and industry partners to strengthen relationships and work towards building a more resilient and sustainable regional energy sector.
CARILEC Executive Director, Dr Cletus Bertin, said the organisation remains committed to promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and partnerships across the Caribbean’s electricity industry.
“The Engineering & Procurement Conference & Exhibition is one of the region’s premier forums for bringing industry leaders together to exchange ideas, explore emerging technologies, and develop solutions to the challenges facing our electricity sector,” Dr Bertin said.
To encourage local participation, CARILEC is offering special registration rates for Guyanese companies and government agencies, allowing businesses to engage directly with regional decision-makers, explore commercial opportunities and gain insight into upcoming energy projects and procurement priorities.
Established in 1989, CARILEC is an association of more than 100 energy solution providers and stakeholders operating within the Caribbean electricity industry. The organisation was created as part of a utility modernisation initiative supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
The conference is expected to further position Guyana as a regional hub for energy dialogue as the country continues to expand its electricity infrastructure and pursue greater energy security through investments in both conventional and renewable power generation.
