Grenada has taken another important step towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. Through the Green Room Air Conditioning (GRACE) project, eighty (80) climate-friendly split air conditioning units running with propane (R290) have been officially handed over to the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment & Renewable Energy.
The handover marks a significant milestone in Grenada's transition towards sustainable cooling technologies. The units were received by Permanent Secretary Ms. Peron Johnson.
The GRACE project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) under the International Climate Initiative (IKI). It supports the introduction of energy-efficient room air conditioners using the natural refrigerant R290 in eight partner countries, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting more sustainable cooling solutions.
Sustainable cooling with natural refrigerants
Cooling demand is rising worldwide, making the transition to climate-friendly technologies increasingly important. Conventional air conditioners often rely on fluorinated refrigerants with a high global warming potential. Propane (R290), a natural refrigerant, offers a sustainable alternative with a significantly lower climate impact while also delivering higher energy efficiency.
By promoting R290 technology, the GRACE project supports countries in reducing emissions from the cooling sector and contributes to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Kigali Amendment.
Benefits for Grenada
Of the 80 Green AC units, 50 will remain in Grenada and be installed in public facilities across the country. The units will improve energy efficiency and demonstrate the practical benefits of climate-friendly cooling in everyday applications.
The installations will include:
- Training institutions
- IT and computer laboratories in selected schools
- Health centres
- Public buildings
- Selected public facilities in Carriacou
Beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the installations will provide valuable hands-on experience with natural refrigerant technology and help build local technical expertise for installation and maintenance.
Supporting sustainable cooling across the Caribbean
The remaining 30 units will be handed over to CARICOM partner countries to support training facilities throughout the region. By expanding access to R290 technology beyond Grenada, the GRACE project helps strengthen regional capacity, develop sustainable cooling infrastructure and accelerate the adoption of environmentally friendly cooling solutions across the Caribbean.
Removing barriers to Green ACs
The deployment of the R290 split air conditioners demonstrates that climate-friendly cooling solutions are both technically feasible and economically viable. As the units are free of harmful fluorinated greenhouse gases, they contribute to reducing the environmental impact of the cooling sector while showcasing the benefits of natural refrigerants in public institutions.
Through practical demonstrations and capacity building, the GRACE project is helping remove barriers to the wider market uptake of Green AC technologies—laying the foundation for a more sustainable, energy-efficient and climate-resilient cooling sector in Grenada and across the Caribbean.