Sod Turning Marks the Initiation of Construction on the Piarco Airport Solar Park
On Tuesday July 26th 2022, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (“the Authority”) joined in partnership with the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Planning and Development, the Ministry of Public Utilities, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries to turn the sod to signal the commencement of an EU funded 0.5MW Solar Park at the Piarco International Airport.
In 2018, the Authority engaged in a feasibility study, supported by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the EU. The study focused on Capacity Building for CO2 Mitigation from International Aviation and the Use of Renewable Energy Sources within the aviation sector in Trinidad and Tobago. The results of that study identified suitable locations at the Piarco International Airport for a solar photovoltaic project that could be developed cost-effectively and compatibly.
In December 2019, the Authority signed a contract for funding with the EU to undertake the Solar Park project under the Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) flagship initiative, which helps the world's most vulnerable countries to address climate change.
In May 2022, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (“Authority”) accomplished a key milestone by awarding a contract to Sinohydro Corporation Limited for the construction of the solar plant at Piarco International Airport.
The 0.5 MW solar park has a minimum annual generation capacity of 767,034 kWh and the potential to avoid approximately 500 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The power produced from the site is expected to contribute to the Authority’s current annual electrical consumption at the Piarco International Airport, with capacity for future expansion.
The Authority is pleased to partner with all stakeholders to confront emerging issues on climate change and implement suitable measures for climate action.
(Press release courtesy the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago)