Currently, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC Act), Chapter 54:70 and Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) Act, Chapter 54:73 make no provision for renewable energy power generation by Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is seeking to establish a legislative framework for the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources. This involves the review and amendment of Acts that govern the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC), Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) and Electrical Inspectorate Division (EID). To inform this review, The Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEA) has collaborated with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to develop a framework for policy and legislation to govern feed-in tariffs.
Useful Terms
“Open Access” allows Independent Power Producers (IPP) guaranteed and fair access to the national transmission grid network.
“Net energy billing or net metering” is an arrangement that allows utility customers to install and operate renewable generating systems for their own use, and receive full retail value for electricity not consumed on site.
“Feed in Tariff (FIT)” is an energy supply policy that promotes the rapid deployment of renewable energy resources. A FIT offers a guarantee of payments to renewable energy developers for the electricity they produce. These payments are generally awarded as long-term contracts set over a period of 15-20 years.
Current Legislation governing Electricity Generation
a) The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) Act
b) The Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) Act
The above-mentioned T&TEC and RIC Acts, governing electricity generation, are currently under review. To this end a UNEP sponsored consultancy was undertaken to develop a Framework for Feed-in-Tariffs. The feed-in-tariff is a policy instrument that is commonly used to support electricity generation via renewable energy sources. For more information regarding this initiative, please see the following link: (Link to: Investors>>Corporations>>United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-Pilot Country Project on Feed in Tariffs)