In pursuit of achieving a target of 10% renewable energy in T&T, two solar projects will be built in Trinidad during the period 2021-2022. The developers of these projects are a consortium comprised of bpTT, Shell and Lightsource bp. The consortium is working with the government of Trinidad and Tobago to build the two projects which are located in Brechin Castle and Orange Grove. The projects are 92 megawatts and 20 megawatts respectively and will be among the largest in the region.
During the public consultations held earlier this month as part of the certificate of environmental clearance process, several previously unannounced details were revealed about the projects and the site locations. Lightsource bp is leading the process and AECOM has been contracted to act as the infrastructure and environmental partner of the project. Coastal Dynamics has been contracted to do the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the projects on both locations.
According to Lightsource, the larger of the two projects, the Brechin Castle Solar Project will be located south of Brechin Castle and will connect the solar farm to the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) national electricity network via the Brechin Castle substation. According to the information pack, this site has been chosen after careful consideration including environmental assessments and flood risks.
The Brechin Castle project will span 587 acres over three sites. The 92MW facility will generate 225,303 Megawatts hours (MWh) supplied per year. Light source has indicated that this is equivalent to the energy needs of 31,500 households. In addition, the project will result in 123,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions saved, which is the equivalent of taking 26,500 cars off the road.
The smaller project located in Orange Grove will be implemented in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI), the owner of the land where the project will be built in Orange Grove. This facility will be built in one location and will span 148 acres of land. According to Lightsource bp, this 20MW solar farm will supply 50,417 MWh per year, which is the equivalent to the energy needs of 7,000 households. It is estimated that this site will save 27,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and is the equivalent to taking over 5,500 cars off the road.
According to Lightsource, the projects will be built over a 10-month period and it is anticipated that construction may begin in 2021 and become operational by 2022.
At present, the Certificate of Environmental Clearance process is underway and Coastal Dynamics is preparing the EIA.
The consortium is currently negotiating the power purchase agreement with T&TEC.
These projects will contribute towards international targets to reduce carbon emissions as outlined in the Paris Agreement to which Trinidad and Tobago is a signatory, as well as contributing to national renewables targets.
