Fall Research Expo 2020

Geo-Political Development in the Caribbean: The Case For Renewable Energy Investment in Trinidad and Tobago

Our intention for this research was to have the opportunity to travel to Trinidad and Tobago in order to investigate energy security on the island, yet due to an inability to travel my research remained largely virtual and my research was adapted. My focus was on the inquiry of why renewable energy is not a primary resource on the island despite the evident benefits of making the shift from fossil fuels. The overabundance of water and sun in the Carribean creates a prime location for the utilization of hydroelectric and/or solar power, yet the abundance of these renewable resources is not reflected in the energy type distribution. This draws upon concepts of scarcity and abundance which have been guiding perceptions in the energy industry. Essentially, the usage of non-renewable energy such as fossil fuels are existing in a context of scarcity because eventually there will not be enough resources for everyone which leads to conflict and many going without. Renewable energy resources would not be forced to operate under this context and instead would be available in abundance due to the sheer accessibility of renewable resources in many places. The challenge lies in making the shift from one method to another not in the accessibility to these resources, which is a global struggle and not one exclusive to Trinidad and Tobago. These challenges are largely financial and political in nature and require institution and political changes in order to successfully make this shift.

 

The time Trapetas McGill was able to spend in the twin-island during the winter of 2019 shaped the focus of our research inquiries. Trapetas was able to meet with key stakeholders in the agriculture and energy sector who gave their first-hand account about their inability to successfully lobby the government for vital resources despite their importance to food and national security for Trinidad and Tobago. Farmers attest to the lack of government support and funding for infrastructure for large scale irrigation to rural farmland. Citizens also voiced their concern surrounding inflation caused by the import of overproduced goods from the global north.  This allowed us to address two of our primary research questions; through conducting interviews with various stakeholders (farmers, sustainability non-profits, energy suppliers, and government officials, etc.) during the brief period I was able to identify Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) as the supplier of water and electricity to the entire twin-island as well as neighboring countries. However this summer the archives were heavily utilized; through primarily colonial reports on the region of Latin America and the Twin Island itself, we were able to realize Trinidad's historical trends in terms of their energy transition, infrastructure projects, and water supply expansion. We find that the island energy sector has always – since independence and in its colonial-era–  been heavily influenced and deterred by global commerce, private investment, and international narratives surrounding the idea of scarcity and abundance for natural resources. In our finding this summer we realized the country needs substantial data and reports (primarily in the field of anthropology)  that focus and document the need for alternative energy sources for the twin islands. 

 

PUSAG - Penn Undergraduate Sustainability Action Grant
College of Arts & Sciences 2021
Advised By
David Amponsah
Nikhil Anand
PUSAG - Penn Undergraduate Sustainability Action Grant
College of Arts & Sciences 2021
Advised By
David Amponsah
Nikhil Anand

Comments

Looking at this poster makes me wonder about a future where the Caribbean islands delve into the renewable resources they have abundance in. I'm curious as to next steps that will make this future more possible and happen sooner then we may expect. What will the governments of these countries have to do in order to make this transition, and what are the pros and cons of doing this in the US as well?

I find it interesting - as someone of Caribbean descent - that Trinidad and Tobago is so far behind on its renewable energy goals. It's one of the wealthiest countries in the region. Does their economic prosperity from natural resources infringe on this progress?

This project was very interesting to me, because I've never really thought about all the natural resources found in the Caribbean islands! Do you think that there is a more of an impact from the government or the political issues?

Very interesting research. You mentioned there is an abundance of renewable energy types like solar and hydroelectric. Are there also lots of fossil fuels present in the region?

This is an interesting topic. How does Trinidad and Tobago's energy usage/production compare to other nations in the Caribbean? Is Trinidad and Tobago's situation unique, or can these principles be applied to other islands as well?

Access to affordable renewable and sustainable energy sources in developing countries is much needed. This research will take us one step ahead in ensuring that it happens. I am excited to see what impact you will be able to make with these findings in Trinidad and Tobago and beyond. Great work!