Trinidad and Tobago

Getting Electricity in

Trinidad and Tobago

Listed below are the procedures, time and cost required for a business to obtain an electricity connection for a newly constructed building.

The information appearing on this page was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 183 economies. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in June 2011.

  • Name of Utility: Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission
  • City: Port of Spain

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No. Procedure Time to Complete Associated Costs
1 Request and obtain preliminary Inspection Certificate of Approval from the Govt. Electrical Inspectorate

The Inspection Certificate of Approval is available from the Government Electrical Inspectorate – this is the preliminary inspection that the Inspectorate conducts, for newly constructed buildings. The electrical contractor has to submit an application form and fees to the Inspectorate at prescribed offices and during 8:00 – 4:00 PM, Mon – Fri. The Inspectorate then does the inspection and provides preliminary certificate of approval.

Agency: Govt. Electrical Inspectorate 		7 calendar days TTD 50.0
2 Submit application and await site inspection by Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC)

Documents to be submitted - Proof of ownership of premises to be connected: e.g. Title, Deed of Assent, Deed of Gift, Deed of Mortgage, Deed of Lease; Service Deposit for each meter. An Inspection Certificate of Approval (available from the Government Electrical Inspectorate – this is the preliminary inspection that the Inspectorate conducts, for newly constructed buildings. The electrical contractor has to submit an application form and fees to the Inspectorate. The Inspectorate then does the inspection and provides certificate of approval). The Registration Certificate of the Company; A Letter from Company authorizing the bearer to sign on its behalf; The Identification of the Signatory: e.g. Identification Card, Passport or Driver's Permit; The Company Seal or rubber stamp.
Once application is received, the utility carries out a survey to confirm that the capacity exists. After survey is carried out TTEC informs electrical contractor of availability of the capacity and cost or non-availability of the capacity and the cost involved. IF capacity is not there then the letter will specify the capital contribution to be made towards increased capacity. The letter from TTEC will also specify other conditions besides the costs that needs to be made before the connection is made. This would include various inspections and other documents showing that the owner of the building has granted authority for the electrical contracting company to undertake the requests on behalf of him.


Agency: Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission 		14 calendar days TTD 295.0
3 Receive site visit from T&TEC engineer and await conditions of supply letter

Once application is received, the utility carries out a survey to confirm that the capacity exists. After survey is carried out TTEC informs electrical contractor of availability of the capacity and cost or non-availability of the capacity and the cost involved. IF capacity is not there then the letter will specify the capital contribution to be made towards increased capacity. The letter from TTEC will also specify other conditions besides the costs that needs to be made before the connection is made. This would include various inspections and other documents showing that the owner of the building has granted authority for the electrical contracting company to undertake the requests on behalf of him. The customer recieves a condition of supply letter which outlines the type of connection required and the Capital Contribution Cost. According to the Capital Contribution Policy of T&TEC, if the incremental revenue generated (annual revenue x annuity factor of 6.71) is more than the project cost, then the customer is not charged any capital contribution.

Agency: Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission 		5 calendar days no charge
4 Request final internal wiring inspection from the Government Electrical Inspectorate and receive Inspection Certificate of Approval

Customer/Contractor needs to obtain application form from Inspectorate offices and completed. The Application form is to be completed by the licenced Wireman but signed by the owner/customer. On the same day that the Wireman submits this form, part or all of the costs associated with the inspection must be paid. The date for inspection is given immediately at this point (i.e. on the same day given that payment in part or in full has occurred).

Agency: Government Electrical Inspectorate of Trinidad and Tobago 		21 calendar days TTD 1,550.0
5 Provide Inspection Certificate of Approval to T&TEC and request and receive external connection, meter installation, and electricity turned on.

Customer makes payment of estimated amount at utility offices, and utility conducts all external connection works and meter installation.

Agency: Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission 		21 calendar days TTD 5,250.0
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