Electricity in Trinidad & Tobago in 2023

In 2023, Trinidad & Tobago's electricity consumption is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with close to 100% of the electricity generated from these sources. This striking dependence on fossil energy highlights a significant environmental concern, as fossil fuel consumption contributes extensively to climate change and air pollution. The absence of substantial low-carbon energy generation is evident with clean technologies, such as nuclear, wind, and solar, representing effectively none of the current electricity landscape. This puts Trinidad & Tobago at a critical juncture to reassess and diversify its energy mix to incorporate more sustainable and cleaner electricity alternatives.

Suggestions

To boost the share of low-carbon electricity, Trinidad & Tobago can learn from countries that have successfully integrated clean energy technologies. For example, Uruguay and Denmark have established considerable portions of their electricity mix from wind power, amounting to more than a third and more than half, respectively. Meanwhile, countries like France and Finland demonstrate impressive utilization of nuclear power, providing over two-thirds and almost 40% of their electricity from this source. Given Trinidad & Tobago's geographical and economic context, exploring opportunities in wind energy, as seen in Cape Verde, which generates about 14% of its electricity from wind, could provide actionable insights for enhancing clean electricity production. Emulating these diversified strategies can help Trinidad & Tobago diminish its fossil fuel reliance.

History

Historically, Trinidad & Tobago's track record in low-carbon electricity generation has shown no significant advancements. Over the decades, there have been no noteworthy developments in the domains of solar, wind, or biofuels for electricity production. Since the early 1990s through to recent years, the data suggests a stagnation in exploring and adopting systematic low-carbon electricity solutions. This historical absence underscores the urgency and opportunity for dramatic transformation, mobilizing investment in wind and solar farms or considering the development of nuclear infrastructure. With the right policy frameworks and investments, Trinidad & Tobago can establish a more sustainable and resilient electricity sector for future generations.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources