The Renewable Energy thrust of St Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) was one of the areas of discussion at the recently concluded Caribbean Electric Utilities Services Corporation (CARILEC) Human Resources and Corporate Communications Conference held in Belize.

The conference brought together Public Relations and Human Resources practitioners from countries and organizations within the umbrella body.{{more}} CARILEC is an association of electric utilities, suppliers, manufactures and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean.

Speaking on the topic “How Renewable Energy is reshaping the Utility Leadership, Human Resources and Public Relations,” VINLEC’s communications officer Tamara Job-Sprott spoke of VINLEC’s commitment to ensuring that the company maximizes the use of renewable energy resources for electricity generation. She made reference to a recent solar photovoltaic grid-connected project at the Lowmans Bay power plant. She noted that the company continues to do research on the emerging technologies, with a view to utilizing what is appropriate in VINLEC’s environment.

Job-Sprott noted that the company’s human resources capacity is being developed such that the staff will have adequate knowledge about the new technologies in renewable energy. She said that both the human resources and public relations functions need to work together to ensure employees and the public understand the changes that come with advances in renewable energy.

Job-Sprott was one of three panellists addressing the topic. The other panelists were Jeffrey Locke, chief executive officer of Belize Electricity Limited and Juleika Williams, HR advisor at Barbados Light and Power Company.

Among the other areas addressed were Communication and Leadership, Trust Leadership and Managing Difficult Conversations with Employees, Stakeholders and Partners.

Meanwhile, chief executive officer of VINLEC and chair of CARILEC Thornley Myers urged members of the CARILEC body to continue to work together in an effort to enhance the utility sector in the region. Speaking at the Opening Ceremony on March 15, Myers noted that through CARILEC, electric utilities in the region have benefitted from examining best practices and challenges of the varying bodies. He encouraged the participants to embrace the opportunities for learning and encouraged them to establish connections.

The conference was held from March 15 to 18 at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina under the theme “Achieving the Synergies: Public Relations and Human Resources.”