Professor of Water Resources Management and Infrastructure at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), United Kingdom, Kiran Tota-Maharaj, is proposing that T&T should consider using hydrogen energy not only as a source of environmentally-friendly energy, but also to diversify the economy.
According to the US Department of Energy’s website, hydrogen is a clean fuel that when consumed in a fuel cell produces only water. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of domestic resources, such as natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. These qualities make it an attractive fuel option for transportation and electricity generation applications. It can be used in cars, in houses, for portable power, and in many more applications.
Tota-Maharaj told the Business Guardian that a comprehensive two-part study, entitled “Towards a Hydrogen Energy Economy Transition in Trinidad and Tobago” is currently in the process of being published with the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago Journal (APETT), which provides a strategic framework and a detailed Caribbean case study.
These two papers were accepted for publication on the July 31, 2025.
The full paper publication will be out in both electronic and printed form with APETT in October 2025.
The feasibility study was spearheaded by Tota-Maharaj with academic collaborations from UWI’s Faculty of Engineering professors, Sanjay Bahadoorsingh (Professor of Energy Systems, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering), Krishpersad Manohar, Professor of Thermal Systems and Renewable Energy Engineering) and Dr Denver Cheddie, Associate Professor in the Utilities and Sustainable Engineering Unit, University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and Industrial Practitioner Engineer, Barry Mohammed from Alvair Ltd. a private company.
Part one of the paper investigates what is hydrogen energy used for, the global landscape, T&T’s energy-based economy and the possible benefits of using hydrogen energy in T&T.
Part two of the paper investigates the environmental, regulatory and implementation aspects of developing hydrogen energy in T&T.
In an interview with the Business Guardian, Tota-Maharaj explained what drove him to undertake the study.
“The primary driver of this feasibility study is the global shift towards decarbonisation. We undertook this strategic and forward-looking endeavour driven by the desire to position T&T in a different light. T&T is ranked extremely high in per capita CO2 emissions, often among the top countries globally. In 2023, it was the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and ranked third globally. Many countries should be moving away from fossil fuels to combat climate change. Hydrogen is a key player in this net-zero transition.”
According to the abstract of the study, the global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting away from fossil fuels towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources and hydrogen, often hailed as a versatile energy carrier, is emerging as a promising solution to address pressing environmental and energy security challenges.
“Countries like Japan and South Korea are at the forefront of hydrogen technology development, investing heavily in infrastructure and research to reduce costs and increase production. T&T, with its abundant natural gas reserves and strategic geographic location, is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing global demand for hydrogen. The study assesses the feasibility of blue hydrogen production, emphasising the role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology, alongside the development of green hydrogen through renewable energy-powered electrolysis.”
In the abstract, he also pointed out that these approaches aim to modernise and enhance the existing natural gas infrastructure.
“Guided by global regulations and projected hydrogen pricing, the study evaluates key factors such as capital investment, operational costs, hydrogen production capacity, emissions reduction and market demand. This paper assesses the economic potential of, and identifies the basic infrastructure for, a hydrogen economy in T&T.”
In T&T, he said the petrochemical sector has significantly influenced the development of the current ammonia infrastructure.
The Pointe-à-Pierre refinery, originally operated by Petrotrin until its closure in 2018, was the nation’s sole oil refinery for nearly a century, serving as a cornerstone of the local economy by creating jobs and generating export income. Now managed by Paria Fuel Trading and Guaracara Refining, the refinery is being repurposed into a terminal and export center.
Tota-Maharaj said this transformation preserves crucial logistical assets like storage tanks, pipelines, and port facilities, which are highly suitable for supporting ammonia and hydrogen production. This existing infrastructure, coupled with established technical expertise and a skilled workforce, provides a direct link between emerging green hydrogen and ammonia value chains and traditional fossil fuel operations.
“By leveraging electrolysis and renewable energy inputs, T&T is uniquely positioned to transform its legacy petrochemical capabilities into a strategic advantage within the rapidly expanding global hydrogen economy.”
He added that green hydrogen and the hydrogen economy are emerging as key energy solutions globally, environmentally and economically.
“Endowed with energy resources, T&T is a country where green hydrogen can be produced, used, and exported as a key economic resource.”
In the paper, Tota-Maharaj also pointed out that the primary scope of the hydrogen potential in T&T can be broken down into three areas: green production and export of hydrogen, hydrogen for domestic power and green hydrogen-based ammonia for the petrochemical sector.
Also, there are local benefits that can be derived through the domestic consumption of hydrogen and its use in the local manufacturing industry.
He said besides generating substantial export revenue, hydrogen could be an important driver of sustainable domestic industrial growth, downstream from the hydrocarbon industry.
“The demand for low-carbon hydrogen, of which ammonia is a major market, is expected to increase in the future, especially in Europe when the ‘Green deal’ was activated in 2023, North America, and Asia. This project proposes the development of an economic model that identifies and compares the amounts of ammonia and hydrocarbon-based fuels that could be produced if the resources involved in the production of hydrogen were used in greenfield projects.”
Moreover, he said T&T is in a unique position to bridge the transition to a low-carbon hydrogen economy because of its long-standing ammonia production infrastructure, which is anchored at Point Lisas, Couva,, where 11 ammonia facilities with a combined capacity of 5.67 million tonnes per year are integrated into a petrochemical industrial hub.
“Historically dependent on abundant natural gas feedstock, the industry is now facing dwindling gas supplies and underutilised (roughly 70 percent to 80 percent) capacity. This surplus capacity offers a strategic opportunity: electrolytic green hydrogen, generated from renewable sources, can be co-fed into current Haber-Bosch systems at a rate of roughly 20 percent to 30 percent with minimal retrofit costs. NewGen Energy (2025) and other early adopters are already developing pilot projects for 108,500-ton-per-year low-carbon ammonia plants inside this framework.”
Tota-Maharaj said T&T can leverage various pathways to produce hydrogen, but not all are environmentally friendly. While challenges related to scale and economic viability exist, technological advancements are enabling the production of nearly zero-emission hydrogen.
He added that T&T should adopt a multifaceted approach.
“One promising option is to utilise its abundant natural gas reserves to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. This method ensures zero CO2 emissions during production, eliminating the need for carbon capture and storage.”
Additionally, T&T can explore other, less environmentally friendly but more cost-effective hydrogen production methods, such as methane pyrolysis, in conjunction with its natural gas resources.
A hydrogen economy offers numerous benefits, including enhanced sustainability, increased reliability, new export opportunities, energy security, and economic diversification.
In the paper, he concluded by saying T&T’s journey to a hydrogen economy is both a chance and a problem.
“The country has certain important advantages, such as a strong industrial base, competent workers, and a good position for exports. Blue hydrogen is a short-term answer, whereas green hydrogen is a long-term aim. The results show that T&T can become a regional leader in hydrogen if it gets the right legislative support, invests in pilot projects, and trains its workers in new technologies. Regulatory clarity, international cooperation, and increasing investment should all be top priorities right now to get from feasibility to execution.”
