Trinidad’s evolving market for environmental testing

Trinidad and Tobago

Mikaiel Dookie, managing director of Ecotox Environmental Services, talks to The Energy Year about how Trinidad’s evolving renewables scene is changing its market for environmental testing and the key environmental issues to address at the country’s ports and future development. Ecotox Environmental Services, founded in 2001, provides environmental testing and consultancy services throughout the Caribbean region.

What have been your main testing services contracted, particularly in 2021-2022?
Our services involve environmental baseline assessments of water and sediments in salt and freshwater environments, as well as air quality and noise levels. We also do meteorological surveys to complement our upgraded technologies specifically for ambient air testing. Over the last few years, the EMA [Environmental Management Authority] redefined their requirements for accurately assessing levels of various air quality parameters. When this had been settled, we made major investments in our equipment and methodologies to make us a frontrunner regionally.
Our largest contract over the last few years has been for ambient air testing within the downstream energy sector, particularly for the major companies in Point Lisas. We also provide this to all aspects of industry as stipulated in the laws.

What are you observing in the progress toward a renewable energy sector in Trinidad and Tobago?
In terms of renewable energy, Trinidad is currently looking at solar power, which involves assessing the long-term meteorological conditions. We have the capabilities to deploy at multiple locations and based on some long-term contracts, we have years of accumulated data. There are also discussions happening around the topic of wind energy, and the government is now trying to determine its potential. The University of Trinidad and Tobago has already done studies on wind currents and intensity.
Solar farms can work for Trinidad because compared to other Caribbean islands, we are not so small that we cannot find a space to install them. We have wide open areas that are flat that get a full exposure of sunlight. Our compact size and relatively well laid out infrastructure will facilitate easy integration of solar power into the existing grid.
The efficiency of solar technology is also improving every year. Systems that would previously take up 1 square kilometre of space are now able to take up a fraction of this for the same power output. The relevant players should make it a bigger priority that we start conserving our hydrocarbons for more high-value commodities. Existing income from our energy sector should be deployed to develop our renewables sector more rapidly.

What do you see as the key consideration for implementing wind power on Trinidad’s east coast?
The northeast coast has a lot of wind, but it is also one of the main areas of untapped ecotourism for Trinidad. There are beautiful beaches, nature trails and areas teeming with wildlife, and we can only speculate on the effects of turbines and associated infrastructure on these environments.
Alternatively, there are also strong currents that come in from the Atlantic between Trinidad and Tobago, so this could be another means of generating electricity using wave action in the marine environment. These may have significantly less impact.

What major environmental factors should be addressed with port operations for international vessels?
When chemicals are transported and stored, there is a need to make sure that this is done in compliance with environmental and safety regulations in case of a spill. One of the main environmental concerns in this industry is the management of ballast water, which contains microbes, pathogens and other chemicals. When a ship comes to a Caribbean port – from the Mediterranean, for example – it can carry potentially invasive species which can enter our ecosystems.
Our marine environment is intrinsic to the very fabric of Caribbean life and economies. As such, we cannot afford to risk any damage which may be irreversible. At present, management of ballast water has been made a priority since 2015, when Trinidad and Tobago signed the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, with legislation being drafted thereafter.

How could ballast effluent be properly managed to minimise environmental risk?
Managing ballast water requires inspections and declarations to regulators from the ships transiting through our waters. If they have to discharge ballast water, they will need to treat all potential issues and perform compliance testing to ensure that bacteria and other chemicals have been neutralised. We amplified this service in 2021. Currently, we work with international consultants who manage ships from around the world.

How can your experience working in Trinidad provide value for other regional oil and gas sectors?
Ecotox has conducted environmental baseline surveys in Guyana and along the South American Shelf since even before the oil and gas sector started to explode. We currently support the country by providing independent data to make sure the waste from some of the contractors is safe for disposal into their municipal landfills. We also do the same for Suriname and French Guiana.
Our laboratory and office are based here in Trinidad, but we are able to provide these turnkey services to those other regional territories. We possess a mobile facility and equipment which can be taken to those countries. Operating successfully in these markets requires delivery of outstanding value to all stakeholders. This is at the core of our business, where it is a priority to anticipate these requirements and provide a quality product.

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• Trinidad and Tobago