Chinese green-technology exports to the Caribbean jumped more than 570% from 2020 to 2024, with Beijing financing solar parks, supplying panels and storage systems, and training local technicians across the region.
At least 139 climate-related projects in 13 Caribbean countries over the past decade show the push is tied not only to energy demand but also to promoting Chinese standards, easing industrial overcapacity and deepening political influence.
Experts say the main risks are opaque contracts and technological dependence, because solar systems often rely on Chinese-made inverters, batteries, software, firmware updates and maintenance services long after installation.
Loom Strategy Centre warned that remote-access capabilities and undocumented communication modules in some Chinese-made energy devices could expose grids to disruption or surveillance, a sharper threat for island states with limited cyber defenses.
The Caribbean's 14 U.N. votes, five Taiwan-recognizing states and proximity to U.S. trade routes make the solar buildout strategically significant, prompting calls for stricter procurement rules, stronger oversight and non-Chinese financing alternatives.