The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT) has entered into a policy based loan agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with respect to the development of a Sustainable Energy Framework. In support of this loan facility, the IDB has engaged the services of an international consultancy Consortium including Projekt-Consult GmBH , LKS Ingenieria S Coop and led by the Centre of Partnerships for Development (CAD) to provide the MEEA with policy and technical support for its Sustainable Energy Program, which includes RE and EE. The Program supports the reduction of the country’s dependence on fossil fuel. This Program commenced in July 2012, and will be completed by the end of January 2014.
The framework will have four main components: preparing the Sustainable Energy Program by identifying a regulatory framework to promote the use of RE, EE and carbon reduction; provision of technical assistance to the government in the area of energy efficiency and development of a comprehensive action plan for implementation of recommended interventions; exploration of alternatives for renewable energy funding, with a special focus on Tobago and specific studies to point the way forward for future investment in green energy in the country.
Project Details for the IDB Sustainable Energy Program can be found on the IDB Website via the following link: http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project-description-title,1303.html?id=TT-L1023
United States of America Department of Energy (USDOE) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – Regional Renewable Energy Research Center
The Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEA) has been collaborating with the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) on the establishment of a Regional Renewable Energy Research Center. The major focus is on capacity building, policy and regulation. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the MEEA and USDOE to effect this development was signed by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT) and the USDOE on May 24th, 2013. The MEEA plans to engage an International Consultant to conduct a needs assessment for this facility which can be expected to result in Trinidad and Tobago playing an important role in RE development in the Region.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Pilot Country Project on Feed in Tariffs (FIT)
As part of its ongoing work to support the expansion of renewable energies in developing countries, through various policies, the United Nations Environment Programme has developed a tool-kit for Feed-in Tariffs. Feed in tariffs (FIT) are one of the most commonly used policy instruments in the renewable energy sector and are the subject of increasing attention by countries. In this regard, the UNEP has collaborated with the MEEA to undertake a FIT study and develop a toolkit suited to the needs of Trinidad and Tobago. The toolkit comprises policy design options, a law drafters’ guide and recommendations on the financing of FITs and capacity building. The initiative aims at building local capacity and providing technical assistance to the MEEA in developing a nationally appropriate FIT framework (policy and regulatory), as part of national priorities on renewable energy. This will also be used to inform on a review of current legislation such as the T&TEC Act and RIC Act. Link to page on status of renewable electricity generation in Trinidad and Tobago.
CARICOM> Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)
The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) consists of Ministers designated by the Member States responsible for the promotion of trade and economic development of the Community.
The Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEA) hosted the CARICOM’s 41st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Energy in Trinidad and Tobago on the 27th February to 1st March 2013 with CARICOM Ministers and Technical Officials. Two key issues on the agenda include the finalization and approval of the CARICOM Energy Policy and the activation of that Policy under the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS). Additionally, discussions focused on strengthening the framework for regional energy sector planning and management, and sustainable energy development. The CARICOM Energy Ministers also focused on the Renewable Energy agenda, which is being seen as critical, in light of increasing hydrocarbon prices on the global market. Specifically, interest is high in increasing the deployment of wind, solar and geo-thermal facilities across the CARICOM region.
For more information on the objectives of the Council for Trade and Economic Development visit CARICOM’s website. http://www.caricom.org/jsp/community_organs/coted.jsp
CARICOM>CARICOM Energy Week
CARICOM Energy Week (CEW) was established as an annual event based on a mandate from CARICOM Energy Ministers in 2011 to provide a platform for increased awareness on energy matters, given the critical importance of energy to economic development. CEW has been celebrated in CARICOM Member States as a series of concurrent national energy weeks during the second week of November.
At the Thirty-Fifth Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), it was mandated that the CARICOM Secretariat continue mobilizing support from the development partners to support Member States in the priority areas for sustainable energy (i.e. renewable energy and energy efficiency) development.
Priority areas identified include:
- Policy (including regulatory and legislative reform)
- Energy Efficiency
- Capacity
- Information and Awareness
- Finance
- Capital Projects
- Research and Development
CARICOM Energy Week provides the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with the perfect opportunity to raise awareness in relation to energy and to recognize the critical importance of energy to economic development as well as the important role RE and EE and conservation must play.
Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Official launch of the 2013 CARICOM Energy Week (10th to 16th November, 2013) with the theme “A Secure and Sustainable Energy Future Begins Now!”
CARICOM >CARICOM Sustainable Energy Road Map & Strategy (CSERMS)
The Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS) originated from the twentieth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Belize City, Belize on 11-13 March 2009. The decision at that CARICOM meeting was endorsed by the Third Joint Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and the Council for Social and Human Development (COHSOD) held in Georgetown, Guyana, 1-3 September 2011.
The C-SERMS is the framework for establishing sustainable energy targets and strategies in the context of the CARICOM Energy Policy. Its implementation will encourage a more strategic approach for increased contribution from Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE).
C-SERMS emphasizes RE and EE as key elements of sustainable energy. The objectives of the C-SERMS relevant to CARICOM are:
- Defining short, medium and long term RE, EE and Certified Emission Reduction (CER) targets;
- Acting as a planning and implementation mechanism and communication tool;
- Establishment of a clear framework for focusing RE and investment efforts in RE and EE;
- The establishment of a planning and implementation framework that will encourage the full participation of CARICOM Member States; and
- The establishment of baselines, targets and framework for monitoring sustainable energy resources performance and capacity.
Development and implementation of the C-SERMS will be implemented in two (2) phases over the short, medium and long term as follows:
- Development of C-SERMS – funded by the IDB; and
- Capacity building for R&D related to sustainable development.