In 2024, Trinidad & Tobago's electricity consumption heavily depends on fossil fuels, with a staggering 99.93% of electricity generated from these sources. This essentially means that low-carbon, or clean energy, contributes close to none of the total electricity generation. Such a reliance on fossil fuels raises concerns about sustainability, air pollution, and climate change. Transitioning to cleaner sources is vital not only for environmental reasons but also for future economic and social stability.

Data sources used on this page include Ember, Energy Institute, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Trinidad & Tobago?

When we examine whether electricity consumption is growing in Trinidad & Tobago, the data tells a different story. The current electricity consumption is 6,477 kWh/person, which represents a decline from the 2015 peak of 7,207 kWh/person. Similarly, clean electricity has also sharply declined from its 1971 levels, where it was 35 kWh/person, to just 5 kWh/person in 2024. These trends indicate that not only is the overall electricity consumption decreasing, but the share of low-carbon electricity is dwindling, which could adversely impact the nation’s ability to meet future energy demands sustainably.

Suggestions

To move towards more low-carbon electricity generation, Trinidad & Tobago could draw lessons from regions that have successfully embraced clean energy. For instance, countries like France and Slovakia generate about two-thirds of their electricity from nuclear power, showcasing the potential of nuclear energy as a stable low-carbon source. Meanwhile, regions like Nevada and Lebanon have made notable advances in solar energy, contributing around a third of their total electricity from solar power. By investing in nuclear and solar energy, Trinidad & Tobago could diversify its energy portfolio and decrease reliance on fossil fuels, aligning itself with global best practices for green and sustainable electricity.

History

Over the past decades, Trinidad & Tobago has seen little to no advancement in low-carbon electricity, with virtually stagnant contributions from biofuels and solar energy from the early 1990s through 2024. Despite the increasing global shift towards clean energy, Trinidad & Tobago's journey has been marked by a lack of significant development in this area. While the data shows sporadic attempts like the introduction of solar energy in 2001 and again in 2019, these efforts did not translate into a meaningful increase in clean energy shares. This history of stagnation highlights the need for proactive and strategic investments to elevate low-carbon electricity contributions and secure a sustainable future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade