The BOETT speaks with Prof. Sanjay Bahadoorsingh, APETT’s Fenrick R. DeFour Award recipient, on mentorship, national standards, and his lifelong commitment to advancing Caribbean engineering.
APETT’s FENRICK R. DeFOUR AWARD is conferred on a member in recognition of outstanding Engineering Achievement. This Award was conferred on Engineer Professor Sanjay Bahadoorsingh H.B.M. He is a distinguished academic and practicing engineer, holding a B.Sc. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The University of The West Indies (UWI), an M.Sc. in Power Systems Engineering and Economics from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST), and a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from The University of Manchester (UoM).
He is the Professor of Power Systems and Sustainable Energy at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine and has previously served as Head, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Deputy Dean for Enterprise Development and Outreach, Faculty of Engineering.
Professor Bahadoorsingh is a Registered Engineer with the Board of Engineering of Trinidad and Tobago (BOETT) and is recognized as a High Voltage Testing Engineer by the GEI. He has an extensive portfolio of peer-reviewed publications, numerous technical presentations and a wealth of industry-focused technical reports developed through his work as a local and regional consultant.
Professor Bahadoorsingh holds several key positions related to standards and policy-making in Trinidad and Tobago. As Chairman of the National Technical Committee for Electrical Codes at the TTBS and President of the IEC National Electrotechnical Committee Affiliate Country Programme, he oversees the local development of electrical standards.
He is also a director and inaugural Chairman of the TTMAG for the registration of (.tt) domain names and was an inaugural director of The Angostura Foundation and was a Member of the Board of Trustees of COSTAATT.
In 2024, he was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (H.B.M) Gold in the spheres of Engineering and Education for his loyal and devoted service to Trinidad and Tobago. Eng. Professor Bahadoorsingh currently serves as the Chairman of the joint APETT / BOETT Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee which plays a critical role in fostering the professional growth and competency of engineers
After studying abroad, Prof. Bahadoorsingh chose to return to Trinidad and Tobago to help shape the nation’s energy future, proving that world-class engineering thrives right here in the Caribbean.
Q1. Congratulations on receiving APETT’s Fenrick R. DeFour Award for Outstanding Engineering Achievement. What does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?
This award is deeply humbling. Personally, it reaffirms the value of perseverance and dedication to excellence…in everything. Professionally, this recognition reflects the collective support, encouragement and guidance of the many people and communities who have been part of my journey thus far.
Q2. Looking back at your career journey, what would you consider to be the most significant engineering achievement that contributed to this award?
There is no one most significant achievement, there are many. This award feels like a celebration of collective progress. From mentoring students who now lead sustainable energy projects regionally to planning grid modernization efforts amidst growing presence of renewable energy and electric vehicles, electrical codes and standards developments as well as engineering solutions that are both innovative and contextual to the Caribbean landscape. It’s everything I have been involved with.
Q3. Were there any particular challenges or turning points in your career that shaped the direction of your work in power systems and sustainable energy?
Whilst abroad I quickly recognized that the talent we have locally is just as good and even better than the talent that exists overseas. So, I remained committed to returning home to make a positive difference and contribute to addressing challenges that faced the region.
Q4. Your academic background spans top-tier institutions in the UK and the Caribbean. How have these diverse academic experiences influenced your approach to engineering education and research?
As highlighted earlier, that experience reinforced a powerful truth: though we come from small island developing states, our engineering ingenuity and ability to develop cost-effective, sustainable solutions prove that we are not just capable but leaders in innovation. Our unique challenges demand creativity and our approach demonstrates that ‘small’ does not limit excellence; our engineers are sharper because of it. Throughout my education and research journey, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with brilliant minds, forging lifelong friendships and professional bonds. These experiences have not only shaped my perspectives but also strengthened my confidence in taking bold, principled stands.
Q5. With your extensive portfolio of peer-reviewed publications and technical reports, how do you balance academic research with the practical demands of industry consulting?
I treat them as complementary. Industry projects reveal real-world gaps that inspire research questions, while academic rigor ensures solutions are scalable and evidence-based. Time management is key and it is definitely not easy to manage both educator and engineer roles. However, I enjoy it!
Q6. What current research or innovation in the power systems field excites you the most right now, and why?
One of the most exciting frontiers in power systems today is the rapid advancement and application of artificial intelligence for predictive power system management. Particularly for island power systems, AI’s ability to forecast renewable generation, anticipate demand fluctuations and prevent cascading failures could revolutionize how we maintain stability amid increasing renewable penetration. However, let me curb my enthusiasm, we are not there and not close because we have not embarked on sufficient and relevant upgrades to equip us with the data collection. We do have the prospect of creating microgrids and building resiliency into our island power systems. That is reasonable and practical but we still have progress to make.
Q7. As Chair of the National Technical Committee for Electrical Codes, how do you see the role of national standards shaping engineering practice in Trinidad and Tobago?
National standards play a fundamental and non-negotiable role in engineering practice. Standards are the bedrock for improving safety to protect personnel and property. At times there is no need to re-invent the wheel but we must ensure the standards are relevant to our local landscape accounting for our unique technical, environmental and operational realities. Beyond safety, standards are a mechanism of capacity building to ensure that best practice continues to be employed in very dynamic industries. However, the real challenge lies in maintaining the relevance of our standards which must evolve alongside technological advancements and global trend.
Q8. What are some of the key challenges in harmonizing local electrical codes with international standards through your role with the IEC Affiliate Programme?
Harmonization is no trivial task. There is initial challenge of contextual relevance. International standards like the IEC are developed for a global audience and often assume large, interconnected grids usually located in temperate climates. Our reality in the Caribbean region involves small, island power systems, a tropical environment with high humidity and salt air, vulnerability to natural disasters and a unique mix of industrial, commercial and residential loads. Additionally open access to foreign markets facilitate trade and so blind adoption is not an option. The challenge lies in intelligently considering such standards to our specific conditions without compromising safety, technical integrity and barriers to trade. Then, there’s the issue of technical capacity and training. Aligning with international standards requires updated documents, but also requires engineers, technicians and contractors be trained to implement correctly. This involves significant investment in education, certification programmes and ongoing professional development to bridge knowledge gaps and continue to foster a culture of compliance.
Lastly, keeping pace with rapid technological change is critical. Institutions like the IEC is constantly updating standards with innovations like grid-edge and smart grid technologies, battery storage and electric vehicle charging. For any resource constrained national technical committee, simply keeping abreast of these changes is a task. Then, we must go through our own rigorous technical, administrative and regulatory processes with the many stakeholders, each with distinct priorities. So, achieving consensus and maintaining momentum in the face of bureaucratic inertia is an ongoing challenge. This undoubtedly also contributes to the lag, leaving local industry in a zone where new technology is available but the governing code is not yet updated.
Q9. How do you envision the integration of renewable energy technologies into the national power grid, and what policy reforms would support that vision?
In the Newsday article for Earth Day 2025, I gave this response. It is applicable to this question. To accelerate renewable energy adoption in Trinidad and Tobago, several key policy and regulatory reforms are urgently needed. First, implementing feed-in tariffs or net billing schemes would incentivize distributed solar by ensuring fair compensation for excess energy fed back into the national grid. Second, the further development and enforcement of comprehensive standards for solar PV installations covering safety, grid code for interoperability and performance standards for equipment available in the market. Third, the licensing process for renewable projects must be streamlined and transparent to encourage investments. Additionally, looking ahead the electricity grid access framework should be reviewed to potentially accommodate large power projects through wheeling arrangements. These changes, combined with proactive grid modernization planning would create a regulatory environment that actively supports Trinidad and Tobago’s transition to a cleaner energy future.
Q10. You’ve served in many academic leadership roles at UWI. How do you mentor the next generation of engineers, and what qualities do you think future engineers must develop to succeed?
Mentoring the next generation of engineers is both a privilege and a responsibility that I take seriously. Engineering is practical. Engineering requires the ability to think innovatively outside the conventional boundaries. Engineering is lifelong learning and application to real world present and future problems. Ultimately, I want to ignite in them the same passion that drives me to make a positive difference. Most importantly, I remind students that their technical skills carry profound social responsibility. An engineering degree is not just a personal achievement, it is a license to improve lives and that privilege comes with non-negotiable ethical obligations.
Q11. What advice would you give to young engineers who aspire to make a lasting impact in both academia and industry?
First recognize, the goal is not to have two careers, but to forge one unique path where each domain informs and elevates the other. The greatest leverage lies at the intersection of discovery and application, so academia and industry complement each other. Develop depth in your technical discipline, this is your core credibility in academia. It starts by pursuing solutions to address tangible industry problems. These projects become the bridge between theory and practice and often lead to the most impactful publications and industry solutions. You must foster additional appreciation and skills in project management and finance, communication and governance. This breadth allows you to translate technical work into meaningful real-world impact. Most importantly embrace and demonstrate ethical leadership, advocating for sustainable and equitable solutions, especially in difficult situations. This is non-negotiable. In the professional world, your reputation is your brand. Protect it above all else.
Q12. How do you hope your contributions will influence the development of engineering in the Caribbean region in the years ahead?
This is a difficult question but I am hoping through the next generations of engineers that I can inspire leave a legacy of individuals ready to serve and put others ahead of themselves.
Q13. What continues to motivate you to stay active in such a wide range of professional and academic roles?
Quite simply, I enjoy it. But more deeply, my motivation stems from the tangible impact of developing our nation and region, the intellectual vitality of continuous cross-disciplinary learning and a profound responsibility to mentor the next generation to elevate the Caribbean. This commitment to home is deeply personal. After completing my studies overseas, I never wavered in my decision to return. As a patriot, being where I belong, doing what I enjoy where it matters most, is all the motivation I need.
Q14. When you’re not immersed in engineering, research, or policy, what activities help you maintain balance in life?
When I’m not working, my favorite job is being a dad to my nine-year-old daughter. Whether I’m assisting her with crafting, shuttling her to extracurricular activities, or helping out with school events, those moments are precious. My family has always been my foundation, so I cherish the time with my mother, who has been an unwavering support and my brother, who has always been the best company. I also enjoy staying involved in my church and volunteering where I can. I like being connected to and giving back to the community that has given me so much. Around the house, I’m the go-to person for any DIY project. I get genuine satisfaction from eventually making repairs or spending sometime tinkering with the car. It is hands on engineering without the paperwork! When it’s time to unwind, I appreciate a good lime with close friends, watching TKR, Windies cricket, or a football match and fun conversations. But nothing beats a relaxing trip to one of Tobago’s beautiful beaches, that’s where I can truly disconnect and recharge.
Q15. Finally, looking forward, are there any personal goals or professional frontiers you still hope to explore?
I plan to just keep going and serving. The journey is far from over. There’s much to do, whether it’s mentoring the next generation of engineers, supporting the transition to renewable energy and low carbon transport across the region, or contributing to safer, smarter infrastructure. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful difference and I remain committed to answering that call for as long as I can.