The Southern Caribbean Cable Company

Integrating the Caribbean's Energy Markets - for lowest carbon emissions, highest resilience and lowest cost

Regional Energy Transition

The Southern Caribbean Cable Company Ltd (“SC3"), with its international partners, are developing a power and telecoms interconnection across participating Caribbean territories in an ambitious phased development. The design prioritises lowest carbon sources of power, utilising surplus gas power generation in Trinidad & Tobago to kickstart the development.


The project targets hydroelectric power in Guyana and Suriname and geothermal power from the volcanic island chain. Wind and solar will complete the renewable sources. The reservoirs in the hydropower facilities will serve as the "battery" storage, and gas power generation will meet gaps in supply. This project, using advanced technologies, such as High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and sophisticated Blockchain and AI based power dispatch software.


The system will be built by world-leading companies and financed as a Public Private Partnership at no cost to the Governments of participating countries.

COPYRIGHT 2023 THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CABLE COMPANY LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Overview

The Southern Caribbean Cable Company (SC3)

is creating an economic model that addresses the triple challenges related to Environment, Energy and Economic Development in the region. The proponents have developed an ambitious and well thought out concept: an integrated energy market tied to new and improved economic activities in the participating territories.


Simply put, the project will see optimisation of renewable energy potential in the region, such that some countries produce - and others consume - the lowest cost, cleanest power at any given time and the power fosters new industrial development. The design includes a fibre optic cable which will provide low cost telecommunications.


The project is being developed in phases as Caribbean Governments choose. The intention is to start in Trinidad and Tobago where there is gas based power generation. World class technology is being employed. The multi billion dollar financing targets Energy Transition funding in a Public Private Partnership arrangement.

The Caribbean energy transition requires a carefully thought out progression from the use of carbon-producing heavy fuel oil, diesel. natural gas and some coal to 100% renewable energy (RE). RE resources exist, untapped. However, the capital cost is high and the market size limits the size of projects.


There is a strong case for Distribute Energy Resources i.e. wind, solar and hydropower in the local grids. The interconnection or "Super grid" adds the resilience, reduces cost and creates new developmental opportunities.

Back to Top Icon

Origins

The Story

Donald Baldeosingh has been concerned about the Caribbean's energy future for more than 30 years. As Chair of Petrotrin, he recognised that the oil and gas base to Trinidad and Tobago's economy was not sustainable in the longer term. Also, that the Caribbean had to turn to its abundant renewable energy sources. At that time the drivers were cost of imported oil, and energy security. He conceptualised the Caribbean Power Interconnection as way to usher a new era of energy independence and prosperity for the region.

Nowadays, the main driver is the carbon cost of Caribbean power. The region must embrace energy transition to play its part in climate change mitigation. The benefits of reduced cost of energy, new business opportunities and more resilient economies are more important today.


We also recognise the challenges in achieving consensus among Caribbean countries in a short timeframe. However, there is a heightened sense of urgency, coupled with resource availability to achieve the energy transition. SC3 advocates a phased approach with a vision for a clean, resilient, affordable regional power system.

Addressing a session at the

UN Headquarters New York

on Sustainable Transport

in Small Island Developing States

2023 February

Acid Graphic Elements Filled Complex Sparkle

Biosketch

Donald Baldeosingh is an energy specialist and social entrepreneur. He is the Founder of the technology-based ENMAN Group and the non-profit Carbon Zero Institute of Trinidad and Tobago, CZITT. At CZITT, he leads projects in climate awareness and action. He developed a Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions for Trinidad and Tobago, and built a Caribbean e-learning platform based on Education for Sustainable Development.


Mr Baldeosingh worked in the local power, oil and gas industries and served as Chairman of the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (Petrotrin), Trinidad and Tobago's national oil company.


He served for 10 years on the Industry Advisory Board to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Mr Baldeosingh has chaired conferences on such topics as Engineering, Procurement and Construction; Carbon Trading and Infrastructure Financing.


Mr Baldeosingh holds BSc and MSc degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of the West Indies.

Back to Top Icon

Multiple challenges - One solution

Overall, Caribbean energy market integration offers the potential to transform the region's energy landscape, reducing cost of power, fostering sustainable development, economic growth, and environmental protection.

Environmentally Friendly Icon

Environmental sustainability:

The Caribbean mainly comprises Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The region depends on imported oil for more than 90% of its power. At the same time, there are sufficient renewable energy sources to supply the demands well into the future.


Energy market integration will facilitate cleaner, more sustainable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to global climate mitigation.

Cost of Power:

Icon of a Lightning

Apart from producing relatively high greenhouse gas emissions, the cost of power in the Caribbean is also high, except in the case of Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. The current post COVID period, as well as the war in the Ukraine have pushed electricity prices upwards, imposing a heavy burden on citizens who are also feeling the effects of economic downturn and climate change. The time was never better to produce lower cost indigenous renewable energy.

Enhanced reliability and resilience:

Power Fist Icon

Diversification of the energy sources would enhance energy security and reduce dependency on fossil fuel imports. Also, Caribbean countries are prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Energy market integration will create a more resilient energy infrastructure by sharing resources and improving grid connectivity. This would enable a more reliable and robust energy supply, even during adverse weather conditions or disruptions to local energy infrastructure.

Back to Top Icon

Plan and Status - Guyana/Trinidad & Tobago

The project development follows a classic "Stage-Gate" approach moving through -

  1. Concept Development and Testing
  2. Engagement with Key Stakeholders
  3. Prefeasibility Analysis
  4. Full Feasibility Analysis, Bankable Report
  5. Financing Plan, Investors, Financiers
  6. Engineering, Procurement and Construction
  7. Start of Operation


Essentially, the project is in stages 4 and 5. The next investment tranche of $1m will be applied to complete these stages and lead the way to 6 and 7.


CAPEX runs from $250m to $2Bn for various Project Phases and the timeline is three to 10 years.

Contact us for more details..

Key Indicator

Activity / Project

Outcome

Feasibility Assessment

Pre Feasibility Studies

Proven to be feasible at Pre Feasibility Level

Engagement with governments

Meetings with and presentations to government agencies

Meetings with state officials and agencies with positive responses.

Investment and financing

Settle on Shareholders and Financiers

Considerable interest from Financiers, more moderate from investors

Selection of EPC contractors

Contracts with suppliers

Communication with suppliers for all aspects. No contracts.

Back to Top Icon

Additional benefits of the INTERCONNECtion:

In addition to reduced carbon emissions from power generation, lower cost power and increased resilience, the project will deliver –

By creating a larger regional market, energy market integration will attract greater investment in the energy sector. This investment will lead to the development of new renewable energy usage in new industries, which can create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

2

Integrating the energy markets allows for the sharing of best practices, knowledge, and technical expertise among Caribbean countries. This can promote innovation, capacity building, and greater collaboration in the energy sector, leading to more effective and sustainable energy solutions - and international models.

3

Fibre optic cables will be laid alongside the power cables. This add-on project will benefit from joint surveys, environmental assessments and permitting, and efficiencies in installation. The result will be lower cost telecommunications, together will power. This will open new opportunities for knowledge industries and business tourism.

Back to Top Icon

The Team

The SC3 core team led by experienced professionals and complemented by several international subject matter experts. We bring knowledge of regional culture, systems and players, international project financing and management, and a strong passion to engender the change needed.

robert shelton JD

Chairman

Senior Washington DC attorney with a track record in major infrastructure projects

President and CEO

Electrical Engineer with over 35 years in the State sector and regional energy business

Donald Baldeosingh

MSc

David Krakoff BSc

Vice President and COO

C-suite management ​expertise on a global scale ​for world-class, multi-​billion dollar companies


Engineering Manager

Senior Engineering , ​Construction and

Project Management ​professional

Narayan Ramtahal ​MSc PMP

Mike patton BSc

Electrical and Telecommunications Engineer, and Entrepreneur

steve mohammed MBA

Project Manager for several large energy construction and management projects

melanie tikasingh BA

Administrator and Compliance Officer with over 30 years of practical experience

Back to Top Icon

Contact us

Potential Partners, Investors and Project Developers.

Let's discuss cooperation.


COPYRIGHT 2023 THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CABLE COMPANY LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Back to Top Icon
Dots Corner Element

six steps to A CARIBBEAN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE

1. PROBLEM STATEMENT

As Small Island Developing States, the region is seeing the effects of climate change: extreme weather events, sea level rise and reduced fisheries and food production. Covid-19 and the Ukraine war have increased the cost of imported oil for power generation and transportation, wreaking havoc on the economies.


The region needs to decarbonise, and build energy resilience.

Notepad and Pencil Tool

2. DEFINE THE OBJECTIVES

  • Clean, reliable and affordable electricity supply
  • Maximum renewable energy, available to all
  • Decarbonised power generation, transportation and industry
  • Sustainable economic growth and prosperity
Target with Arrow Icon

3. SELECT PATHWAYS TO THE GOAL

  • Set aggressive net zero targets
  • Replace hydrocarbon based power with renewable energy
  • Create new climate-smart economic models
  • Maximise indigenous energy, human and financial resources
  • Export surplus low carbon energy


Circle shadow
Optimization Glyph Icon

4. EXPLORE BOLD solutionS

Integrate the energy markets, making the lowest cost and lowest carbon energy available to all territories throughout the region.

Gas-generated power from T&T and Hydroelectric power from Guyana will provide the basis for the interconnection.

Hydropower dam will solve the energy storage problem.

Geothermal, wind and solar energy will increasingly complement

hydropower with gas generated power as back-up.

Execution Icon

5. IDENTIFY RESOURCES

Technology for interconnecting power - and telecommunications - is mature and proven. Several world-class players are involved.

There is funding from private and institutional investors, multilateral agencies, donors and the Green Climate Fund.

The region has the human capital to partner with renowned specialists in the field.

Checklist Task Icon

6. PHASED IMPLEMENTATION

Export power from Trinidad to Guyana and/or Grenada using surplus generation capacity and stranded pockets of gas. Construct wind/solar/hydropower and economic zone in Guyana Connect Guyana to Brazil and Suriname.

Link the Caribbean Island chain, exporting Geothermal energy.

Include economic development programmes like the processing of indigenous natural resources, data centres, and crypto mining.

Project Timeline Icon
White Rounded Bar

For more info. please email

admin@southerncaribbeancable.com

Back to Top Icon