Connecting countries to climate technology solutions
English Arabic Chinese (Simplified) French Russian Spanish Yoruba

Trinidad and Tobago

Official Name:
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Region:

Energy profile

Type: 
Energy profile
Energy profile
Extent of network

Household electrification in the country is over 97%. Two 33kV submarine cables link the islands' electricity networks.

Renewable energy potential

Development and use of renewable energy sources are still in their embryonic stages in Trinidad and Tobago. Although, it has been acknowledged that some of the more commercial areas of renewable energy, which are applicable to the Caribbean region in general and to Trinidad and Tobago in particular, are solar energy – thermal and photovoltaic, wind, wave, and to a lesser extent, biomass.Solar energyWith an average global horizontal irradiance of 5.5-6.0 kWh/m2/day, Trinidad and Tobago are well suited for application of solar technologies, both thermal and photovoltaic. Possible applications include solar crop drying and use in water heating, as well as for electricity generation.Wind energyGovernment officials have recently stated the nation's interest in exploiting the potential wind resource of the island. Mean annual wind speeds over the country are not as high as some of the country's Caribbean neighbours, but are still serviceable.HydropowerNo study has been conducted as to the traditional hydro-electric potential of the country, although wave power has been proposed as a source of energy for the islands.Biomass energyThe Government is currently investigating the use of biomass energy as a potential source of electricity, however, applications are said to be limited due to the scarceness of agricultural land and water in the country.Geothermal energyWhilst the country's oil industry is indirectly involved with geothermal energy through its assistance to the Kittitian/Nevisean geothermal market, development of potential geothermal sources in the country has been ruled out by the Government.

Energy framework

The energy policies of T&T focus on seven areas as shown in the website of the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs:Local content: promotion of local content and local participation,Renewable energy: development and utilization of renewable energy resources, including solar photovoltaic and thermal energy, wind energy, wave energy and bio-fuels (biomass, biogas, biodiesel  and bio-ethanol),Infrastructural development: development of major energy-based infrastructure nergy- nol), –  ew. 1,344 MW); facilities,electricity: conversion from gas turbine and steam  plants to combined cycle generation of electricity,regional and international initiatives: regional and international relations and cooperation initiatives regarding energy security, pricing, purchasing and transportation,fiscal regime: fiscal regime to promote energy-based investment,LNG: pursuit of new LNG opportunities targeted at the domestic market.With the election of a new government in May 2010, the new authorities have indicated the need to move forward in the reform for a sustainable and cleaner energy matrix that will stimulate the development of RE (such as wind, waste to energy, solar water heaters and photovoltaic (PV) systems), EE and efficient use of fossil fuels as the core elements to maintain long-term sustainability, and as a consequence of the latter, contribute to reducing Green House Gas emissions (GHG).A climate change policy has been drafted and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEA) is currently conducting public consultations to inform the drafting of an Energy Policy for the country. Elements of the draft energy policy include strategies for carbon reduction and strategies for introducing renewable energy. Plans for implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies to deal with the effects of climate change have been integrated into national planning; recognizing the fact that climate change affects all sectors of the economy and, if not addressed, can retard steps towards future development.In the report ‘‘A New Policy for Energy, 2011–2015’’ energy efficiency, conservation and management initiatives are given central roles within renewable energy, NG utilization and pricing, and carbon reduction strategies. In the preface of a report of the Energy Research and Planning Division for the renewable energy policy for T&T, it is stated that ‘‘Local energy demand for this finite resource [NG] is on the increase, making conservation paramount. This could be reasonably addressed by utilization of RE resources, increasing EE, decreasing energy demand and the use of alternative fuels in the transportation sector.’’ The report concludes with the statement ‘‘Noteworthy however, is that practical solutions for improving energy efficiency are essential to complement renewable energy programmes’’. 

Source
Static Source:
  • Type: 
    Organisation
    Country of registration:
    United States
    Relation to CTCN:
    Network Member
    Sector(s) of expertise:

    The Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Global Partnership (GP) was founded to enhance coordination, information exchange, and cooperation among countries and international programs working to advance low-emission, climate-resilient development. Global topical working groups (Finance, Subnational Integration of LEDS, Benefits Assessment and Communications, Energy, Transport and AFOLU measures) provide technical support for activities that respond to regional priorities.

  • Type: 
    Organisation
    Country of registration:
    United States
    Relation to CTCN:
    Network Member

    Burleson Institute focuses on environmentally sound technology as a bridge to climate cooperation and sustainability. Through technical assistance, intentional learning networks, and educational outreach, we are building a culture of best practice sharing and innovation where stakeholders are equal partners, working together toward substantive and procedural good governance.

  • Type: 
    Organisation
    Knowledge partner
    Country of registration:
    Germany
    Relation to CTCN:
    Network Member
    Knowledge Partner

    The Frankfurt School-UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance is a unique “think-and-do” tank combining research, education and project implementation, with the aim of facilitating private sector investment and financing of clean energy and climate change mitigation and adaptation projects across the globe.

  • Type: 
    Organisation
    Knowledge partner
    Country of registration:
    United States
    Relation to CTCN:
    Network Member
    Knowledge Partner
    Sector(s) of expertise:

    The Clean Energy Solutions Center is a Web-based resource that helps governments design and adopt policies and programs that support the deployment of clean-energy technologies. The Solutions Center’s three main offerings are Ask an Expert policy assistance, training and peer-to-peer learning forums, and a rich library of technical tools and publications. The Solutions Center is an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), a global forum to share best practices and promote policies and programs that encourage and facilitate the transition to a global clean energy economy.

  • Type: 
    Organisation
    Country of registration:
    Mexico
    Relation to CTCN:
    Network Member
    Sector(s) of expertise:

    SUNCURRENT SA de CV develops complete projects, installs, operates, maintains and creates capacities and supplies equipment related to the use of biogas, geomembranes and hydraulic equipment. SUNCURRENT SA de CV's objectices are project development and supply of equipment related to the use of renewable energy and specific biogas projects related to urban solid residuals.

  • Type: 
    Publication
    Publication date:
    Objective:
    Sectors:

    The major objectives of the ENVIS Centre are collection and dissemination of information in order to support and promote research, development and innovation among researcher, policy makers, academics and other stakeholders. The Centre is actively engaged in data gaps identification and bridging, resource generation and data collection, capacity-building and information dissemination activities.

  • Type: 
    Publication
    Publication date:
    Objective:
    Sectors:

    The study aims to provide comprehensive guidance to policy makers and practitioners in developing countries [Non-Annex I countries to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)] for the preparation of national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories for the waste sector. Though GHG emissions from the waste sector are still comparatively low compared to other sectors, they are continuously rising in developing countries due to changing production and consumption patterns. Experience shows that emissions from this sector can be reduced significantly at relatively low costs.

  • Type: 
    Publication
    Publication date:
    Objective:

    1. Steigender Energiebedarf und ein Recht auf Kühlung? Darf es ihn geben, den Anspruch auf eine Klimaanlage und einen Kühlschrank – ähnlich wie das Recht auf eine Heizung? 2. Kühle Kette für eine gesunde Versorgung Nach Schätzungen der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) verderben durchschnittlich 30 Prozent, in tropischen Ländern sogar 50 Prozent der Lebensmittel mangels angemessener Lagerung. 3. Grüne Technik und Wertschöpfung Das Zauberwort heißt Ressourceneffizienz. Der Schlüssel in der Kältetechnik dafür sind natürliche Gase. 4.

  • Type: 
    Publication
    Publication date:
    Objective:

    This manual should provide professional guidance on how to service and maintain refrigeration systems operating with new technology, e.g. ozone- and climate-friendly alternative refrigerants to CFCs and HCFCs. It addresses essential know-how on containment of HFC refrigerants which have a high global warming potential (GWP) and provides information on the safe use of environmental-friendly natural refrigerants, such as CO2, ammonia or hydrocarbons.