Trinidad and Tobago’s methanol can help CARICOM reimagine power generation

As CARICOM leaders convene at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government this week in St Kitts and Nevis to discuss issues including regional energy security, Proman Trinidad and Power32 highlight the potential of Caribbean produced methanol fuel to power the region.

With the continued reliance on imports of polluting diesel and Heavy Fuel Oil in aging power generation infrastructure in the region, Caribbean countries are faced with the trilemma of finding secure, affordable and lower emission solutions to replace it.

As a liquid at room temperatures, and without the need to install expensive, specialist storage and regasification infrastructure, methanol is the simplest and most cost-effective switch-in alternative. On combustion, it delivers 80% less nitrogen oxides (NOx) than diesel and oil and almost zero sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (soot). This makes conventional methanol from natural gas immediately cleaner, and as the methanol molecule is the same no matter which feedstock it is produced from, this can be progressively blended with lower carbon methanol produced using CCUS and green methanol, without the need for further on island infrastructure investments.

Anand Ragbir, Executive Director, Proman Trinidad said: “We are asking CARICOM leaders to look close to home for a power solution. Methanol produced locally in Trinidad can be easily and safely shipped to our neighbours to provide cleaner outcomes with fewer fuel miles and greater energy security. This really is a Caribbean power solution, made in the Caribbean, for the Caribbean.”

David Knipe, Managing Director of Power32 said “Proman established Power32 to deliver methanol powered solutions at scale and we see a specific benefit for the island nations near to our production hub in Trinidad. Breaking the connection with volatile oil and diesel pricing would have an immediate, positive impact on local economies as the reduction in annual fuel expenses could be redirected to investments in initiatives to support growth. This is why we are asking CARICOM leaders to reimagine the Caribbean electricity market this week.”