Trinidad and Tobago took a major step towards achieving its clean energy goals as work officially began on the country’s first utility-scale solar project. The sod-turning ceremony at Brechin Castle marked the beginning of the construction of the 112MWac solar project, which is set to be the largest solar energy producer in the Caribbean.
The project is a joint venture between bp Alternative Energy Trinidad and Tobago and Shell Renewables Caribbean and is expected to produce approximately 300,000MWh of green electricity per year.
The solar project consists of two sites, Brechin Castle and Orange Grove, and is being managed by Lightsourcebp. Grupotec Servicios Avanzados S.A. has been selected as the main contractor for the construction of the project at both sites, while SDV West Indies Limited will provide high-voltage connections to the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) network.
The consortium partners, bpAETT and Shell, took the Final Investment Decision (FID) in December 2022, and the project is expected to contribute to Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the power generation sector by 30% by 2030.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, Executive Vice President, Gas & Low Carbon Energy, bp, said: “bp is working to provide energy that is secure, lower carbon and affordable – and this project does exactly that. It also reinforces the importance of a collaborative approach to this country’s energy transition goals and together with the other consortium partners, we look forward to being part of delivering this country’s first solar project.”
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Eugene Okpere, Senior Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited, added: “This solar project signifies advancement of the energy transition in country and we recognize that collaboration is the key to success. At Shell, our involvement aligns seamlessly with our global strategy to promote the energy transition in all of the countries in which we operate, as we strive to find ways to provide more and cleaner energy solutions, while building a strong and sustainable business.”
The project is expected to bring benefits to the country, including a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and a decrease in power generation gas demand. This will allow for the sale of gas to LNG and petrochemical markets, helping to boost the country’s economy while also supporting its efforts to transition.
