Potential distribution of wind energy in Trinidad and Tobago
Explore the potential for wind energy in Trinidad and Tobago. This article delves into the feasibility, challenges, and opportunities for harnessing wind power as part of the nation's renewable energy future.
Currently, the following Caribbean countries Jamaica,Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadaloupe, Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire have installed wind turbines in their drive for the cleanest sources of renewable energy. With the introduction of wind energy local air quality is improved significantly in addition to reducing carbon emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based energy generation. Trinidad and Tobago, may be late in the adoption of wind energy however, in order to fulfill Trinidad and Tobago’s expanding energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, wind energy has emerged as a possible answer.
Setting the Path for Wind Energy Generation in Trinidad and Tobago was a study conducted from September 2022 to April 2023 which presented a draft strategy for developing a wind industry in Trinidad and Tobago covering the period until 2035 by describing the steps that should be taken for its successful deployment. It presented an exceptional opportunity to access a clean and almost infinite source of power provided by the enormous potential of wind resources in Trinidad and Tobago’s offshore regions. To fully realize this potential, however, thorough and precise wind resource assessments must be made.
In the study Trinidad and Tobago has identified fixed offshore and onshore wind sites with the Southeast coast, Galeota giving the highest potential capacity output of 1,255 MW for offshore wind in addition to 515 MW for an onshore site. In Southwest Tobago, Crown Point an offshore site has the potential to produce 350 MW. Whereas nine (9) areas, each of a minimum size of 1000 hectares, have been identified for the development of wind energy projects onshore with the most potential being in South-West, Palo Seco at 865 MW.
According to the Minister for Energy and Energy Industries, Minister Stuart Young, in 2025, the country placed five (5) wind measuring units in areas which are best suited to generate wind energy and the government in the second phase of conducting studies to generate wind energy. The government of Trinidad and Tobago has set a milestone of by 2035 to have a least 2GW of installed generation coming from wind energy sources.
Local communities are also anxious and interested in the outcome of wind energy resources being introduced to the country. However, co-national coordinator of Trinidad and Tobago Climate Network and ally for the Nabarima Warao (Warao of San Fernando Indigenous Peoples), Katrina Khan-Roberts stated, “we need to create an eco-system of charge to face climate change, and it has to be diverse. Currently Trinidad and Tobago’s electricity generation is vulnerable.”
“We have all our eggs in one basket, the transitional fossil fuel and natural gas. Just as in nature, the more diverse a system, the more resilient it is to the risk of change. It is time for us to look to the wind, water and sun, just as the Indigenous Peoples have done before us, using the technology, tools and innovations of today.”
To build a focus the nation’s workforce on renewable energy skills, in 2025, the NESC Technical Institute (NESC-TI) has launched a new scholarship programme in Renewable Energy Technology Services (RETS) that would provide graduates with hands on experiences in Solar PV, Wind Energy, and more. Since wind energy is a new frontier for Trinidad and Tobago, skills development is needed.
Katrina further added, “Climate ready solutions like wind energy harvesting, with the correct planning and legal framework, backed by data, baseline surveys and a strict maintenance and monitoring regime to sow positive and negative impacts to the triple bottom line are all needed alongside the support and education of the community. Wind energy is a step towards the just transition our country needs.”
Andrew Hosein, a Research Specialist at the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Chamber also highlighted that “Wind energy is also being explored – currently a Wind Resource Assessment is being undertaken and when complete will encourage bankable data for project development … the establishment of a wind energy sector also creates opportunities for energy services companies and contractors to engage in green projects. This is possible because many of the local service companies have skills and specialized equipment that are transferable and can be used for large scale wind energy projects both onshore and offshore.”
Trinidad and Tobago is well positioned to exploit the opportunities within energy transition to renewable resources and wean the country from the downstream oil and natural gas industry. With gradual steps, wind energy is a suitable option to diversify the country’s energy matrix.
🇹🇹 Latoyaa Roberts-Thomas is a well-travelled bookworm and accomplished storyteller with over a decade of experience in International Development and Communications. She is dedicated to highlighting the successes of the Global South, whether through exploring new novels, writing, or travelling. With a career that spans government, the private sector, and civil society, Latoyaa is committed to sharing the most inspiring stories from around the world. Her adventures are just beginning.
