This is part one of a two-part series on the country’s energy transition.

TT has vowed to reduce its carbon emissions by 15 per cent by 2030 as part of the Paris Agreement’s National Determined Contributions to help ward off further devastation from climate change.

National Energy, a subsidiary of the National Gas Company of TT, is tasked with developing the country’s energy-based industries. Newsday spoke with Dr Vernon Paltoo, president of National Energy, about plans for an overall energy transition to the goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

[caption id="attachment_979537" align="alignnone" width="778"] Dr Vernon Paltoo, president of National Energy. - Photo courtesy National Energy[/caption]

Traditionally, National Energy would have worked on the development of the petrochemical industry, specifically Point Lisas and Union Industrial Estates, and developing the initial methanol, ammonia and steel plants.

Now, as the energy industry globally is changing, it’s working on developing the renewable energy sector, creating energy efficiency in businesses, and overall carbon reduction in the country.

Paltoo said in an interview on October 1, that, recognising TT’s commitment to carbon reduction, and “the finite nature of our gas resources,” five-seven years ago, “We took a deliberate strategy for developing low-carbon industries.”

Renewable energy

Renewable energy is the first way the country is moving away from using natural gas as fuel for power generation.

The primary renewable energy project is Project Lara, the first utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, which will convert light into electricity.

It's a 112-megawatt facility based at Brechin Castle, Couva, and Orange Grove, Trincity. The Brechin Castle station will produce 92 megawatts and the Orange Grove one will be 20 megawatts.

“This will be a significant project, not just for National Energy but really the country, because it represents the first utility-scale PV project,” Paltoo said.

It’s not National Energy’s first PV project. Last year, it finished installing a solar canopy on the Preysal National Petroleum service station by the Point Lisas highway, which opened in September 2021.

[caption id="attachment_979535" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Residents of Mayaro and Guayaguayare get training on solar PV installation organised by the National Energy to promote a decarbonised economy. - Photo courtesy National Energy[/caption]

Paltoo said the service station is almost entirely solar-powered.

“That’s 320 panels and 100-kilowatt installation.” During the major blackout earlier this year, he said, “That was the only service station in Trinidad that was running, still because it had battery backup on that station.”

That project was a stand-alone PV facility, whereas Project Lara is a utility-scale facility, being built to put power supply into the T&TEC power grid. It will be the first of its kind in TT.

“It’s like a power station. That project has been in development for about two years now. The minister