Keron Niles started his studies at the University of the West Indies, at the St Augustine campus in Trinidad (there are three Campus in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago respectively). From there he moved to Aberdeen, Scotland (for a Masters in international law) and then to Otago for a PhD in Energy Studies.
During his time at Otago, Keron's research has taken him to, Fiji, Samoa, Trinidad, Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, interviewing 76 people involved in government and the energy industry around the Pacific and the Caribbean.
“There's a link between oil prices and energy aid. When oil prices are high, for example, more renewable energy projects are approved by development banks and donor agencies – it makes sense. I would have to say that the mathematical analysis for that correlation was the most challenging part of my PhD!
In Trinidad and Tobago (my home country), unlike many other Caribbean nations, we have large reserves of oil and natural gas. At one point, we supplied around 70% of the natural gas used in the United States. So there's little impetus to explore renewable sources of energy that will probably cost more to establish and run. However, high rates of exploitation of fossil fuels over the past 100 years means that our reserves will all be gone in a decade or two. We need to explore alternatives now!”
Keron's studies at Otago started with a Google search for “Energy studies PhD” - there were only two results – one of them was Otago!
“I needed a supervisor with experience in energy issues for the Pacific region so I could compare that with the Caribbean. Bob Lloyd was responsive, interested in my project and experienced. I was here in about a month.”
Once his PhD is signed off and completed, Keron will return to Trinidad and Tobago where he's bonded to work for the government for five years, as a requirement of the Trinidad and Tobago National Development Needs Scholarship he received.
“I'll probably be working as a policy analyst, working to support the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It's exactly what I've trained for!”