ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the primary barriers to renewable energy (RE) development and implementation in Trinidad and Tobago. The primary ones that will be discussed in this chapter are economic, legislative, financial, market, technical, institutional, awareness/information, capacity and social barriers. One of the major barriers is the lack of financing available for those willing to invest in RE development as entrepreneurs or consumers. The technical, legislative, financial, awareness, capacity building, economic, market, institutional and social barriers must be addressed before RE can become a sizeable component of Trinidad and Tobago's energy mix. The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a country with two primary islands located in the southernmost part of the Caribbean, just 11 km off the coast of Venezuela. Heavily subsidized fuel and electricity creates an uncompetitive economic environment for renewable energy technologies. It is a huge barrier against RE market penetration since there is inadequate economic incentive to invest in RE technology development.
