Eng. Ryan Roper, BSc., MBA, R.Eng.
A Chat with Engineer Ryan Roper, the JV Project Manager for the largest utility scale solar farm in the Caribbean
Engineer Ryan Roper once stood at the crossroads of medicine and mechanics. Now, with tools forged in chemistry, strategy, and systems design, he’s helping chart the course for a climate-resilient Caribbean. Ryan is both a product of our twin-island nation and a global thinker bringing fresh perspective to the complex challenges which Trinidad and Tobago faces as a traditional energy exporter grappling with the global clean energy transition.
Engineer Roper is a Registered Engineer with the Board of Engineering of Trinidad and Tobago (BOETT) and has over 20 years’ experience in global capital project delivery, digital transformation, and the energy transition to renewable energy sources. He has spent much of his career in the energy sector and is currently the Joint Venture Project Manager for the largest utility scale solar farm in the Caribbean, currently under construction in Trinidad.
In this interview with the BOETT, we discuss with Engineer Roper, among other things, his insights into mapping of Trinidad and Tobago’s renewable energy landscape, why green hydrogen is a game-changer for industrial decarbonization and a vision for a Caribbean-wide clean energy network.
Q1. Can you give us some idea of your engineering background and what has led to your interest and involvement in Renewable Energy?
My passion for chemistry began at Fatima College, where I was torn between medicine and engineering. I ultimately chose engineering because it allowed me to dive into systems thinking, strategy, and innovation. Leaving Trinidad at eighteen for Morehouse College exposed me to hands-on research and data analysis, and later at Georgia Tech, I sharpened those skills—learning how to deliver complex projects, work collaboratively, and remain focused on outcomes.
I experienced a paradigm shift—from fearing failure to embracing it as a vital part of growth. That mindset now shapes how I view the energy transition. We haven’t perfected the energy mix, but with solid engineering principles, systems thinking, and strong collaboration, real progress is possible. For me, renewable energy is the space where technical discipline, teamwork, and leadership must come together to tackle one of the world’s most urgent challenges.
Q2. Can you briefly explain the different types of renewable energy systems, and how each one could potentially be implemented in Trinidad and Tobago?
When designing renewable energy systems, factors like geography, resource availability, and environmental impact must guide decision-making—well before financial feasibility is considered. For Trinidad and Tobago, the most promising natural resources are the sun, the sea, the wind—and increasingly, our waste.
We can develop fit-for-purpose renewable systems that match our national context and regional potential:
Solar Energy
The largest utility-scale solar farm in the Caribbean is currently under construction in Trinidad (with a peak production of 122MWp).
Land constraints limit expansion, but decentralized solar—on rooftops, commercial buildings, and across communities—can enhance energy access and resilience.
Marine Energy (Tidal, Wave & Micro-Hydro)
Tidal and wave energy present strong opportunities for stable, renewable power, especially for coastal areas.
It’s predictable, hurricane-resilient, and ideal for long-term regional development
Wind Energy
Wind resource mapping is underway across T&T.
Offshore wind remains costly, including NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) concerns over noise, aesthetics, and wildlife impact (e.g., bird migration).
Waste-to-Energy (W2E)
T&T and Guyana are particularly well-positioned for W2E projects, which solve two issues at once: electricity generation and waste management.
NIMBY concerns— Public concerns over imported waste must be addressed through transparent policy and education.
The best energy strategy for Trinidad and Tobago is a balanced, fit-for-purpose mix of solar, marine, wind, and W2E—with green hydrogen as the cornerstone of industrial decarbonization. It’s about leveraging our natural strengths while building a resilient, secure, and future-ready energy system.
Q3. How do you think the adoption of renewable energy can help reduce Trinidad and Tobago’s dependency on fossil fuels?
Given Trinidad and Tobago’s fossil fuel reserves, it makes economic sense to continue leveraging them while global demand remains. However, renewable energy offers a path to energy independence, improved efficiency, innovation, and a stronger international reputation as a net-zero leader.
A key objective of adopting renewables is to release hydrocarbons currently used for domestic electricity, redirecting them to the export market to generate valuable foreign exchange. That revenue can then be reinvested in:
Digitalizing and decentralizing public services
Improving the ease of doing business
Supporting entrepreneurship and innovation
This strategy not only accelerates the energy transition but also supports broader economic diversification – reducing dependence on hydrocarbons and positioning T&T as a regional leader in both clean energy and sustainable development.
Q4. What challenges do you foresee in transitioning to a renewable energy grid for an island nation, and how can they be overcome?
Transitioning to renewable energy will require parallel development—building a new green grid alongside the existing T&TEC infrastructure. While this comes at a significant cost, funding can be secured for initiatives that are truly prioritized at the national or regional level.
So why should a Green Grid be a national priority? Because it’s not just about producing and distributing energy – it’s about unlocking innovation, driving entrepreneurship, and building long-term resilience. The key to success lies in financial viability, with monetization strategies like microgrid-based payment schemes that target five- to seven-year payback periods.
Imagine a decentralized model where each regional corporation manages its own grid. This opens the door for SMEs and local consortiums to become clean energy providers, driving consistent supply, competition, and efficiency.
With clear national standards for storage, smart tech, emissions, and efficiency, we can foster an energy ecosystem that encourages:
Better customer service
Technical innovation
Operational excellence
Job creation in engineering, IT, and energy services
Ultimately, the Green Grid is more than a technical upgrade—it’s a socioeconomic catalyst, laying the foundation for a sustainable, future-ready Trinidad and Tobago.
Q5. Given the geographical size and population density of Trinidad and Tobago, what renewable energy solutions would you recommend for large-scale implementation?
I firmly believe financially viable hybrid renewable energy models can be developed around solar, tidal, waste-to-energy (W2E), and onshore wind in Trinidad and Tobago. But to unlock true regional value, we need a shared Green Grid—ideally developed as a GORTT, OAS, or CARICOM initiative.
This would not only catalyze private sector investment across Trinidad and Tobago but also enable green energy sharing with countries like Guyana, Grenada, Barbados, and eventually, across Caribbean and LATAM markets, leveraging regional scale.
Solar Farm – Trinidad and Tobago’s central plains offer excellent potential for utility-scale solar farms, with capacity to partially power the petrochemical sector using clean electricity. In parallel, decentralized solar—on rooftops, commercial buildings, and even floating arrays—can supply private users or localized grid zones, improving energy access and resilience.
Tidal – Tidal energy may be the Caribbean’s most reliable renewable resource, offering 24/7 generation. It’s predictable, hurricane-resilient, and aesthetically low-impact—making it perfect for tourism-driven economies. Caribbean institutions should prioritize pilot tidal projects through targeted R&D and investment.
W2E – Facilities like Beetham and Forres Park landfill sites highlight the urgent need for modern W2E systems. When combined with biomass reactors, these can convert both municipal and agricultural waste into clean power. The main barrier remains public behavior, particularly around household waste separation.
Wind – While offshore wind is costly and high-maintenance, onshore wind microgrids offer a practical alternative. They can supply eco-tourism zones and green communities without disrupting the Caribbean’s coastal aesthetics. This makes wind energy a targeted, complementary solution in T&T’s renewable mix.
Q6. What role do you see for solar and wind power in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy future, considering factors such as cost, reliability, and environmental impact?
Solar and wind power are poised to play complementary but distinct roles in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy future. Each brings unique strengths that align with the country’s energy goals—cost efficiency, energy diversification, and environmental sustainability.
Solar will be the primary engine of T&T’s renewable energy growth, delivering cost-effective, clean, and scalable power. Onshore wind will serve as a strategic supplement, especially in areas with favorable wind profiles or tourism-centered demand.
Together, they form a powerful foundation for energy independence, economic resilience, and environmental leadership—especially when integrated into a shared smart grid or regional green energy network.
While Offshore wind and tidal wave energy infrastructure are possible, both require further studies, pilot projects and innovative commercial arrangements and structures to meet industry economic hurdle rates.
Q7. How can renewable energy systems be integrated into the existing infrastructure of Trinidad and Tobago without major disruptions?
The transition to renewable energy in Trinidad and Tobago could follow a phased, decentralized, and technology-driven approach—focused on hybridization, grid modernization, and collaborative policy design. The goal is to evolve the national grid into a flexible, innovation-friendly platform that supports sustainable growth.
I can envision a three-pronged approach.
Phased Hybrid Development – GORTT facilitation of phased, consistent investments into solar, wind, WTE and tidal projects with a focus on hybrid energy systems that supplement rather than replace fossil fuel generation. Co-locating these projects near existing substations or industrial zones can reduce infrastructure costs. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) should also be integrated to stabilize intermittent supply and support grid reliability.
Legislative and Policy Reform – Setting clear interconnection standards, updated grid codes, feed-in tariffs, and targeted tax incentives and green financing are essential to attract private sector investment and support infrastructure upgrades that align with national energy goals.
Smart Grid Modernization – Upgrading the existing grid with smart infrastructure will allow for real-time monitoring, automation, and more efficient load management—enabling both centralized and distributed energy sources to work together seamlessly.
This approach supports not just utility-scale renewables, but also empowers rooftop solar, community microgrids, and small wind systems—delivering clean, reliable energy to homes, businesses, and remote communities.
Q8. Energy storage is a key issue for renewable energy, especially in small island states. What storage solutions would you recommend for Trinidad and Tobago, and how would they enhance grid stability?
For Trinidad and Tobago, I would progress through a 5-point plan
Start with BESS pilot projects co-located with solar at government or industrial sites. BESS – Battery Energy Storage Systems. These are generally used with solar farms or even possibly with green hydrogen in the future.
Create a national energy storage roadmap aligned with 2050 net zero goals. This would include implementation of supportive policy, legislation, and public-private partnership frameworks, including an assurance system for reliable, long-term operations.
Leverage GORTT partnerships including the UN’s global Green Climate Fund for financing of grid access, tariff incentives, upgrades to T&TEC substations and EV charging stations.
Tap into local expertise from the energy sector to support green hydrogen R&D including hydrogen-blending trials, batteries for homes and businesses, and battery storage capability for hotels, malls, the Queens Park Savannah and the airport.
Modernize the grid in preparation for a smart, distributed energy future—including V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid), disaster-resilient microgrids for coastal zones, and IoT-enabled predictive energy management. Support ongoing electrification efforts in Point Lisas and other strategic industrial hubs.
Q9. What are the potential risks of power outages or grid instability when increasing renewable energy penetration, and how can they be mitigated?
The key to mitigating these risks is planning for flexibility, resilience, and security from the start – while ensuring the digital and physical layers of the grid evolve together.
Some risks and their mitigations include:
Intermittency – Solar and wind are weather-dependent.
Solution: Battery storage plus a diverse mix of solar, wind, tidal, and W2E resources to maintain steady supply.
Grid resilience – Local outages can spread fast, especially in disaster zones.
Solution: Resilient microgrids that operate independently and recover quickly.
Cybersecurity – Smart grids increase exposure to smart threats.
Solution: Redundant systems, strong protocols, and trained personnel to detect and stop cyberattacks.
Q10. How can renewable energy adoption create new jobs or stimulate economic growth in Trinidad and Tobago?
Renewable energy isn’t just about adding clean power to the grid – it’s an engine for economic growth. It creates jobs in construction, system design, operations and maintenance, and even reshapes how we design buildings and public spaces for greater energy efficiency.
Some recommendations include:
Launching a National Green Jobs Program in collaboration with the private sector and academia
Incentivizing local value-added services like installation, maintenance, and tech support
Integrating renewable energy training into vocational programs at institutions like MIC and UTT
Supporting women and youth-led enterprises in clean energy and efficiency services
Positioning Trinidad and Tobago as a clean energy hub for the Caribbean
Q11. What policies should the government of Trinidad and Tobago implement to encourage the growth of renewable energy in the region?
To catalyze renewable energy growth in Trinidad and Tobago, government can implement a coordinated policy framework that creates market certainty, attracts investment, and removes barriers—while ensuring equity, grid resilience, and national competitiveness.
These policies can build on many of the themes previously raised and rigorously tested across GORTT ministries to ensure alignment. The goal is to integrate fiscal, regulatory, industrial, social, construction, and digitalization advantages into a cohesive strategy – one that drives a sustainable, independent energy ecosystem and adds long-term value to the national economy.
Q12. How can private and public sectors collaborate to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies in small island states like Trinidad and Tobago?
Public-private partnerships are essential to accelerating the renewable energy transition in Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean. Collaboration among academic institutions, utilities, industry, and international agencies is key to advancing clean energy.
With increased focus on climate action for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), I envision a unified Caribbean Clean Energy Roadmap—one that aligns each island’s natural resources, builds a pipeline of bankable projects, and attracts pooled capital investment. This coordinated approach can unlock economies of scale, foster regional energy sharing, and position the Caribbean as a global leader in net-zero energy by 2050.
Q13. What is your vision for the future of renewable energy in small island nations over the next 10-20 years, and how does Trinidad and Tobago fit into this vision?
That’s a great question as it challenges us to imagine what’s possible when bold leadership, smart policy, and collective will align.
For Trinidad and Tobago, I see the path forward in three key steps:
First, fully harness our renewable potential — solar, wind, waste-to-energy, and tidal—to create a balanced, locally adapted, fit-for-purpose energy mix.
Second, as a net fuel exporter, electrify our industrial processes and position T&T as a clean energy exporter, with green hydrogen as a strong opportunity.
And third, invest in resilience by protecting critical infrastructure and coastal zones with battery storage, microgrids, and smart technologies like AI and IoT.
But the vision must be regional. The long-term goal is a connected Caribbean—sharing clean energy across borders, reducing climate vulnerability, and leading the way as a climate-smart, energy-secure region. If we act now, T&T can transform its legacy as a fossil fuel exporter into a leadership role in the net-zero era.
Q14. How do you stay updated with new technologies and innovations in renewable energy, and how would you apply these advancements to benefit a country like Trinidad and Tobago?
In a country like Trinidad & Tobago, where fossil fuel revenues still dominate the economy, staying focused on renewable energy can be challenging. Fortunately, my daily work constructing a solar farm keeps the energy transition top of mind. I’m passionate about achieving net zero, so I actively curate insights from journals, the World Bank, and white papers—even paying for access when needed—and I tap into free sessions from virtual global conferences to stay informed and contribute as a panelist or speaker whenever I can.
I also attend local and regional events to network and advocate for clean energy. Each year brings new, feasible advancements, and I’m especially excited about modular, scalable tech that can be piloted through institutions like UTT, UWI, and Arthur Lok Jack GSB before advancing to full-scale deployment.
In short, global innovation paired with local adaptation is the key to real energy transformation. I would focus on sourcing international funding and channeling it into high-impact, value-adding projects that protect SIDS from climate risks and build resilient infrastructure for the future.
Q15. Finally, what do you think is the most exciting innovation in renewable energy, and how could it be applied to Trinidad and Tobago’s energy system?
Green hydrogen is, in my view, the most exciting renewable energy innovation today—especially for a country like Trinidad and Tobago with a strong industrial base and a legacy as a fuel exporter. By using solar, wind, and waste-to-energy to power electrolysis, T&T can produce green hydrogen to decarbonize its petrochemical sector, reduce emissions, and create a new clean export market.
Beyond that, I see tidal energy as a major opportunity for the region—reliable, hurricane-resilient, and underutilized. Over the next two decades, emerging technologies like ambient energy and ‘sky electricity’ could also play a disruptive role, especially as we seek scalable, off-grid solutions for SIDS.