Despite Trinidad and Tobago’s potential for green hydrogen production, Trinidad and Tobago

currently faces significant difficulties due to its dependence on fossil fuels, limited renewable
energy supplies, and economic constraints. Trinidad and Tobago is the largest producer of
hydrocarbon (oil and natural gas) in the Caribbean. With over three billion barrels of oil
produced, it is not on track to become a green hydrogen economy. Green hydrogen is
produced by splitting water molecules through electrolysis powered by renewable sources
like wind or solar. This separates the water into clean-burning hydrogen and oxygen. For
energy to be made, a fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen, generating electricity and
releasing only heat and water vapour. This eco-friendly cycle makes green hydrogen a viable
fuel source. Trinidad and Tobago's reliance on fossil fuels and limited renewable energy
sources disrupts its transition to a green hydrogen economy, despite the opportunity to
leverage current technological resources. Other challenges include a lack of robust
infrastructure, economic status, water availability and safety.

Firstly, due to the dependence on fossil fuels, Trinidad and Tobago is not on track to
becoming a green hydrogen economy. Trinidad and Tobago's economy he­avily depends on
the hydrocarbon (oil and gas) industry. In Trinidad and Tobago, British Petroleum (bpTT)
holds a crucial position as the largest natural gas producer in the country, playing a vital role
in driving the nation's export earnings. The company has discussed using cleaner energy in
the future and has experimented with green hydrogen in other places. In Trinidad and Tobago,
bpTT extracts hydrocarbons from the ground because it generates a lot of money doing this.
Investing in green hydrogen technologies can be a hesitancy, as it could affect their current
revenue streams. Moreover, bpTT's substantial influence within the government could
potentially slow down the implementation of policies or regulations favouring the
development of green hydrogen. The hydrocarbon sector contributes a big part to the
country's gross dome­stic product (GDP). GDP measures the total worth of goods and se­rvices
made in a country over a pe­riod. Natural gas made up over 40% of exports in 2022. Thus, this
link to fossil fuels discourages a fast switch to green hydrogen. Further, shifting from
hydrocarbons to green hydrogen may lead to job displacement in the fossil fuel sector in the
short term, which can lead to a loss of skills and experience. Powerful groups may resist
change due­to vested intere­sts in oil and gas.

Secondly, as a result of limited investment in renewable energy sources, Trinidad and Tobago
is not on track to becoming a green hydrogen economy. For green hydrogen, renewable
energy is needed, which is unde­veloped in Trinidad and Tobago. This limited gre­en power
capacity seve­rely interferes with the availability of renewable ele­ctricity, a key component for
ele­ctrolysis to occur, the process of manufacturing gree­n hydrogen. Unless rene­wable energy
ge­neration rises substantially, Trinidad and Tobago cannot produce sufficient amounts of
green hydroge­n on a sustainable scale. Implementing renewable energy sources, like solar
power, has a high upfront cost. Further, solar power makes long-term savings less attractive
as compared to places with pricier electricity, since Trinidad's status as an oil and gas
producer keeps traditional electricity prices relatively low.

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Thirdly, due to a lack of robust infrastructure, Trinidad and Tobago is not on track to
becoming a green hydrogen economy. Trinidad lacks the infrastructure necessary to develop a
green hydrogen economy. There is a shortage of electrolysers, specialised pipelines for
transporting hydrogen, and facilities for storage and distribution. Trinidad and Tobago may
struggle to attain funding for these infrastructures without a clear and comprehensive national
hydrogen strategy. Electrolyse­rs split water into hydrogen and oxygen by using e­lectricity.
Trinidad and Tobago lacks manufacturing capacity for these machine­s, so imports are a
necessity. Furthermore, moving hydrogen is difficult as it is a low-density gas which require­s
specialised pipeline­s to prevent leaks. Currently, this infrastructure­is unavailable in Trinidad
and expe­nsive to build. Safe storage and distribution are­crucial for a hydrogen economy,
demanding investment in specialised tanks and transportation.

Furthermore, as a result of its economic status, Trinidad and Tobago is not on track to
becoming a green hydrogen economy. The war in Ukraine resulted in a surge in natural gas
prices, creating a very attractive financial opportunity for the country's fossil fuel industry,
and persuading them to focus on short-term profits rather than long-term sustainable
development. This allows for less money to be invested in renewable energy and green
hydrogen infrastructure, slowing progress. On top of that, Trinidad and Tobago is presently
struggling financially, with a substantial national debt. Consequently, the government cannot
provide assistance, whether it is subsidising renewable energy projects or offering tax breaks
to encourage businesses to invest in green hydrogen production. Without placing some
significant resources behind its green initiatives, Trinidad and Tobago will face an extremely
difficult battle in getting its green hydrogen economy off the ground.

Additionally, as a result of water availability, Trinidad and Tobago is not on track to

becoming a green hydrogen economy. Electrolysis produce­s green hydrogen, and it ne­eds lots
of water. Every year, Trinidad and Tobago receives around 1,500 millimetres of rainfall.
However, during the dry season, there is less wate­r available. Othe­r Caribbean places don't
have concerns about this as much. Like Guyana, with its tropical rains ove­r 2,500 millimetres
yearly. Or St. Lucia and Gre­nada, humid subtropical lands drenched in around 3,000
millimetres of rain annually. However, Trinidad and Tobago faces more­water troubles than
just rainfall. Some wate­r used for electrolysis can't be­reused, straining the country's alre­ady
limited fresh water. Despite the possibility of seawater being a viable solution, the
construction and operation of desalination plants are costly, and the chemicals produced as a
result may have negative environmental impacts. Without a sustainable water utilisation plan
that prioritises both clean water access and green hydrogen production, Trinidad and Tobago
risks compromising both its renewable energy goals and the well-being of its citizens.

In addition, due to safety, Trinidad and Tobago is not on track to becoming a green hydrogen
economy. While almost all fuels have risks, green hydrogen production offers some safety
advantages. Unlike conventional fuels, green hydrogen is non-toxic and less dense than air,
meaning leaks tend to spread quickly. However, its combustible nature requires careful
handling and infrastructure designed to prevent explosions. In addition, hydrogen has a wider
combustion range than natural gas, meaning it can begin to ignite at a broader range of

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fuel-air mixtures. Along with that, hydrogen flames are nearly invisible, making them more
difficult to detect. To minimise these risks, facilities require explosion-proof equipment,
ventilation systems to minimise hydrogen build-up, and leak detection systems. Proper
training for crew members in handling hydrogen safely is also crucial. Overall, green
hydrogen can be a safe option with proper protocols and investment in safety measures,
which may be expensive.

It can be concluded from the above-mentioned points that Trinidad and Tobago is not on
track to becoming a green hydrogen economy, even though Trinidad and Tobago possesses
the fundamental strengths to become a green hydrogen leader. While its dependence on fossil
fuels presents a challenge, it also offers a unique opportunity to leverage already existing
infrastructure and expertise for a streamlined transition. To become a green hydrogen
economy, Trinidad and Tobago needs to address water availability concerns, establish clear
regulations, and encourage collaboration between government and industry leaders, including
companies like bpTT, NewGen, and NGC. This allows the nation to strive for a sustainable
and profitable future. This shift will not only further strengthen its position as an energy
leader but also pave the way for a sustainable future.

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