An Abuse of Power - Rushing the Gas: Energy Insecurity in a Binge Economy

Definition:
1 MW (megawatt) = 1 million joules per second = unit of electrical power generation

In Trinidad & Tobago the total rate of electricity generation is presently 1100 MW.

The existing steel mill (Arcellor-Mittal) uses 240 MW.

The 125 000 t/yr (tonnes per year) Alutrint aluminium smelter proposed to be built by Chinese at La Brea would use 240 MW. They are stealthily seeking to double output to 250 000 t/yr. This would require 480 MW.

A new power plant proposed for La Brea which has been granted environmental clearance by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is to have a capacity of 720 MW. This would serve Alutrint and other users.

The Aluminium Company of America (ALCOA) applied for environmental clearance for a 341 000 t/yr smelter at Chatham in South West Trinidad, with a statement that this would require 580 MW. T&T Prime Minister notified public in December 2006 that plans had been suspended for the smelter at Chatham.

The Essar Steel Mill proposed for Claxton Bay and approved by Environmental Management Authority would require 202 MW with space left for an additional plant requiring 240 MW.

What the above shows is that the proposed additional heavy gas based industry would require a doubling of electricity production. In T&T all electricity is generated from combustion of our natural gas. Why should we double gas consumption for heavy polluting and gas consuming industries?

Who is benefiting? Who is losing? There is no transparency in the gas supply deals (EITI rejected, see earlier post). There is no cost-benefit analysis in the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) decision making process administered by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).

We should be looking at low energy demanding industry with low environmental impact and high valued outputs.