Unite Caribbean understands the importance of the ongoing energy transition. Switching to electric vehicles (EVs) is not just about saving money on gas, it is also a massive win for island environments. By ditching traditional engines, EVs instantly cut local emissions and protect our clean air quality and fragile coastal ecosystems. What makes the situation even better, is that since our islands are small, normally, we do not need long-range batteries to get around. When paired with the region’s expanding solar power infrastructure, extending EV use means keeping our oceans cleaner, our air fresher, and our islands more economically prosperous.
Against this backdrop, a pilot project in Grenada is gathering data from three key marine sectors to support the expansion of marine electric vehicles across the Caribbean. As the region’s first initiative of its kind, it brings together Grenadian and regional stakeholders to deploy solar-powered electric boats for Royal Grenada Coast Guard patrols, Marine Protected Area (MPA) patrols by the Ministry of the Blue Economy and Marine Affairs, and nearshore and mid-shore trips by three local fisherfolk cooperatives. The project will evaluate the vessels’ long-term suitability for Grenadian and wider Caribbean conditions.
In mid-2026 GIZ (the German agency for international development) and the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) launched the procurement process for these electric vessels and motors. The project tests electric boats, motors, and charging setups within the framework of a programme supporting the implementation of climate plans in the Caribbean across the transport and energy sectors.
As the regionally-based evaluator for the project, I was part of a team of consultants who completed the mid-term evaluation process. This was a collaborative effort between GIZ and the implementing partners: the CCREEE, the University of the West Indies, Climate Analytics, and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with funding from the German government’s International Climate Initiative (IKI).
Implementation underway
Electric motors and charging stations will power boats for the Gouyave Fishermen’s Cooperative on mainland Grenada, the Carriacou Cooperative and the Petite Martinique Cooperative on the two sister islands. A key goal is the integration of sustainable and clean sources of energy into the mix with the aim of eventually replacing gasoline and diesel with local solar-powered charging infrastructure. The gathering of performance data on the motors, batteries and electronics under saltwater corrosion, high humidity and heavy daily usage is already underway, as is the recording of insights on marine decarbonization while minimizing related risks. The fishing cooperatives will ensure all members of the groups have equal access to the boats and will handle the maintenance of boats and motors.
Local fisherfolk are not passive recipients of these vessels but have been integrated into the project’s monitoring and testing framework over a period of time. Fisherfolk have actively participated in a data-collection phase and equipment has already been installed on their existing combustion-engine boats to track daily operational profiles in preparation for the installation of electric-powered motors. Fisherfolk have provided data on fuel consumption and related expenses. They have also tracked the distance and speed of daytime nearshore and mid-shore fishing trips and have provided details on the length of time boats, on average, spend at low speeds versus transit speeds.
This data has directly shaped the technical specifications of the new systems being procured to ensure they will match realities on the ground. Interactive town halls and field missions between fisherfolk and representatives at the national and regional levels, the German government and companies specializing in marine technology have supported this implementation process.
In the case of the Ministry of the Blue Economy, electric-powered boats will be retrofitted and deployed for patrol duties. The high-performance 23-foot patrol vessels will be used for MPA enforcement. This design includes heavy-duty electric motors with marine-grade, high-capacity battery banks adapted to withstand Caribbean saltwater environments. These vessels are designed to sustain 4 to 8-hour patrol sessions after reaching the MPA sites.
At the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) validation workshop in early 2026, vessel designs were confirmed by all stakeholders and critical local needs were integrated into the plans. These included the need for quiet motors which should prove useful for clandestine operations by the Coast Guard. Ways in which the motors may interact with marine life have also been considered and energy storage buffers to be maintained when miles offshore will be enforced.
For the fisherfolk, ministry officials and the Coast Guard, comprehensive technical training is taking place with a focus on the handling, safe storage and maintenance of marine batteries in high salinity environments; the digital tracking of state-of-charge metrics while at sea; and plug-in usage at the solar PV charging docks.
Solar energy charging systems
Shore-side solar micro-charging stations will be installed with robust, wind-resistant structural steel or treated aluminum frames fitted with high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels. These panels will have specialized salt-mist anti-corrosion coatings to withstand continuous exposure to sea spray and high humidity.
Lithium iron phosphate stationary battery storage banks will collect solar energy during peak daylight and store it safely on shore. All inverters, power distribution lines, and smart charger plugs will have strict waterproof and dustproof sealing. The connection points are engineered to endure heavy saltwater tidal fluctuations and tropical rainstorms without short-circuiting.
The charging systems will communicate directly with the vessels’ battery management system, optimizing charging speeds based on the battery’s temperature and maximizing battery lifespan in hot Caribbean climates.
The economic viability of switching from internal combustion engines to electric propulsion
As fuel costs are the largest variable expense for small-scale fisherfolk, GIZ and the CCREEE are tracking several interconnected financial and operational metrics:
- – Data comparing the higher upfront capital expenditure of marine electric motors and marine-grade batteries against the long-term operational savings. The data models the exact number of months or fishing trips required to reach a financial break-even point.
- – Reduction in imported fossil fuel consumption alongside the corresponding intake of solar energy: for example, how many kilowatt-hours of electricity generated from solar sources are required to match the distance and output of one gallon of marine gasoline?
- – Fuel combustion implies frequent maintenance expenses, such as oil changes, filter replacements, and spark plug adjustments, which are worsened by salt air. This pilot project tracks the reduction in these scheduled maintenance costs against any potential degradation costs of the electric battery management system over time.
To support the marine transition, the fiscal strategy includes some important components. Grenada has enacted complete waivers on custom duties and environmental levies for all imported EVs, specialized marine electric motors and charging infrastructure components.
Regional scope of the programme
This project specifically targets the Caribbean’s two highest-emitting and most vulnerable sectors: energy and transport, supporting 5 Caribbean countries in meeting their climate plans. Coupled with flagship demonstrations such as the Saint Lucia land-based EV pilot programme, the project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support climate-resilience in Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Jamaica, aiming for long term impacts across the region.
References
- – Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), 2026. Procurement and Economic Viability Metrics for Marine Electric Propulsion Systems in Grenada. Bridgetown: CCREEE.
- – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Validation Workshop, 2026. Stakeholder Validation Report: Technical Specifications and Environmental Mitigation for Marine EV Deployment in Grenada. St. George’s: ESIA.
- – GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), 2026. Regional Framework for Marine Electric Vehicles within the Transport and Energy Sectors of the Caribbean. Bonn: GIZ.
- – Government of Grenada, 2026. Fiscal Strategy for Sustainable Marine Transition: Customs Duties and Environmental Levies Exemptions for Electric Vehicles. St. George’s: Government Printery.
- – International Climate Initiative (IKI), 2026. Funding Facility Report: Supporting Climate Plans across Transport and Energy Sectors in Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia. Berlin: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
Osato Iyahen, Renewable Energy Expert, CREW Dept.
