Caribbean island state plans to expand its renewable energy strategy to comply with the COP21 Paris Climate Agreement by reducing its CO2 emissions
The Caribbean island state Trinidad and Tobago pursues the domestic target of generating 10 per cent of its electricity using renewable energy resources by 2021. In spite of the excellent preconditions for renewables, namely a very good radiation of up to 1.710 kWh/m2/year and strong north-east trade winds, clean energy solutions are still relatively rare on the island. To promote the sustainable development of the Caribbean state the University of Trinidad and Tobago in collaboration with the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago presents the conference “Renewable Energy: Road Map 2021 – Where are we and are we on track?” On the June 28th from 8:30 AM to 11:30 PM five renowned renewable experts will discuss the chances of a clean energy supply for Trinidad and Tobago. The conference will be held at the UTT Energy Campus in Point Lisas.
As one of these five experts Mr. Eric Borremans, Coordinator Officer at the Swiss-based clean energy provider The meeco Group, will speak about recently commissioned solar energy projects in the Caribbean realised by meeco through its joint venture PV Energy Limited. “With the installation of the 3 MWp solar power plant at the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua, which is part of a 10 MWp clean energy project cluster, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has set an example for the whole of the Caribbean”, states Eric Borremans. “This pioneering project shows how governments can take a step forward on the path of shifting to renewables. At the conference I would like to share the experiences we made during the implementation of this initial project in Antigua. Further I will explain how close the cooperation with governments can drive such sustainable developments, how solar energy projects can generate jobs and raise the awareness for a greener future.”
Due to its rich oil and natural gas reserves the economy of Trinidad and Tobago strongly depends on the power generation sector, which in turn causes large CO2 emissions. To reduce those emissions and to learn from the neighbouring states is the goal of Trinidad and Tobago, which has been approved by signing the Paris Climate Agreement.
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