14. Addressing Climate Change and Waste Management Challenges Through the Development of the Waste-to-Energy Value Chain for Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) faces a waste management problem. Increased economic activity and consumption both contribute to the increase of municipal solid waste in the country. The country’s current waste management system involves the collection and dumping of waste in landfills; all landfills are under stress because of frequent fires and the improper disposal of waste by the general public, the latter generating concerns about public health as well as environmental degradation. Waste-to-energy, which refers to the production of electricity through the destruction of waste, can act as a possible solution to the country’s waste management problem. The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) has recognized the potential of this technology and has expressed interest in implementing this in T&T. The development of a waste-to-energy facility in T&T could also help the country achieve its renewable energy production goals, in line with the country’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) commitments per the Paris Climate Agreement. T&T presently generates approximately 99% of its electricity from natural gas, a clean energy source. The country is also a low emitter of anthropogenic carbon dioxide on a per capita basis. Furthermore, the country has an excess supply of electricity. These issues call for a review of the economics of waste-to-energy in T&T and the identification of opportunities in the waste-to-energy value chain to make the venture economically feasible.