Electricity in Trinidad & Tobago in 2023
As of 2023, the electricity consumption in Trinidad & Tobago is overwhelmingly dependent on fossil fuels, with fossil energy constituting nearly all of the nation's electricity, at approximately 100%. Within this category, gas remains the dominant source, accounting for almost all of the electricity generated. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean electricity sources make up an almost negligible percentage, contributing close to none of the total electricity produced. This extremely high reliance on fossil fuels poses significant challenges, particularly in light of global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, underscoring the urgent need for Trinidad & Tobago to diversify its energy sources towards more sustainable options.
Is Electricity Growing in Trinidad & Tobago?
Turning to the trends in electricity consumption, there is a concerning decline in the electricity usage per person in Trinidad & Tobago. The current consumption stands at 6,321 kWh per person, which is a decrease from the record high of 6,963 kWh per person recorded in 2014. This represents a reduction of 642 kWh per person. Low-carbon electricity consumption has shrunk even further, as recent figures show a disconcerting drop to merely 7 kWh per person, a sharp decline when compared to the 1971 record of 35 kWh per person. These trends are worrying, especially as the country aims to move towards cleaner energy solutions and meet growing future electricity demands driven by the rise of technology and electrification.
Suggestions
To increase the generation of low-carbon electricity, Trinidad & Tobago can learn valuable lessons from regions that have successfully integrated clean energy into their electricity mix. Countries like Lebanon and Cyprus have made significant strides in solar energy, achieving roughly 31% and 21% of their electricity from solar, respectively. Similarly, nuclear energy, which provides a large and stable output with minimal carbon emissions, has been successfully adopted in countries like France, which generates about 69% of its electricity from this source, and Slovakia at 64%. Trinidad & Tobago should explore the potential incorporation of solar and nuclear energy into its energy portfolio to decrease its heavy reliance on fossil fuels and align its energy policies towards a more sustainable future.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Trinidad & Tobago, it is evident that there has been minimal development. The nation has seen no significant change in low-carbon electricity generation from biofuels since the 1990s and solar energy since the early 2000s, both demonstrating zero net change in several years observed. This lack of progress over decades highlights a missed opportunity for the nation to diversify and strengthen its electricity sector with modern clean energy technologies. Aligning with global energy trends, Trinidad & Tobago should embrace a proactive approach towards integrating low-carbon energy sources, particularly solar and nuclear, to ensure cleaner, more resilient electricity generation in the years to come.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.