Integrating applicable sources of renewable energy in the Caribbean

Most Caribbean islands are dependent on fossil fuel based sources of power generation. As the cost and demand for electricity rises, the Caribbean islands are challenged to find alternative economically sustainable sources of energy. This paper critically reviews renewable energy technologies available to the Caribbean islands, using Trinidad and Tobago as a case study. The social and political impacts of legislating a renewable energy policy and its probable effect on the future economic prosperity of the island is considered. The paper outlines a possible framework to achieve an enabling environment required for the implementation of such a policy.