BP, Shell to start building 112-MW solar project in Trinidad and Tobago

A consortium involving oil groups BP Plc (LON:BP) and Shell plc (LON:SHEL) has made a final investment decision (FID) on a 112-MW AC/148-MWp solar project in Trinidad and Tobago after reaching an agreement with the government of the Caribbean island country.

The consortium is made up of bp Alternative Energy Trinidad and Tobago, Shell Renewables Caribbean, and UK-based, BP-backed solar developer Lightsource bp. This is the first time the trio has partnered on a joint project, according to an announcement today on Lightsource bp’s website.

The scheme is said to be Trinidad and Tobago’s first commercial-scale renewable energy project. It consists of the 92-MW AC/122-MWp Brechin Castle site and the 20-MW AC/26-MWp Orange Grove site, with the latter to include collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI). Construction will get underway on both of them in the first quarter of 2023. Start-up is scheduled for the second half of 2024.

BP and Shell will initially own 50% each of the project, while state-owned National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd will have the option to take up a stake. Lightsource bp has progressed the project from inception to FID and will provide construction management services.

In 2020, it was announced that the consortium was named as the preferred bidder in the Trinidad and Tobago government’s 130-MW request for proposal (RFP) to support the country’s commitments to the Paris Agreement. The country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the power generation sector by 15% by 2030.

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