Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Stuart R. Young, received a courtesy call from Ms. Barbara Feinstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti who was accompanied by Mr. Shante Moore, Charge d’ Affairs, Embassy of the United States of America; at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, International Waterfront Complex Head-Office, on Tuesday 29th March 2022.
Minister Young welcomed the US delegation and confirmed that the United States remains a valued and important ally in the areas of national security, energy and commerce. He outlined the current energy positioning of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) as a gas based economy and the significance of natural gas as a fuel of the future.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Feinstein stated that since her arrival she was given the opportunity to have a tour of the impressive Pt. Lisas facility and expressed the desire to further establish integration between the US and T&T.
Discussions were held on the vision for Trinidad and Tobago in terms of Renewable Energy and achieving the mandates of COP26 and Ms. Feinstein noted that the US government had plans to release funding for development in the areas of climate adaptation, energy efficiency and renewable energy in its national budget.
Minister Young provided Ms. Bernstein with an overview of the Government’s policies and plans to integrate more renewable energy into the Country’s electricity grid starting with the 112.2 MW solar projects which are nearing completion of negotiations and finalization of contracts. The parties also discussed the global thrust toward Renewable Energy and Minister Young highlighted that there are studies being undertaken into the potential of using wind energy in the north east and east of Trinidad, the development of hydrogen and clean use of ammonia and methanol.
The Honourable Minister discussed Government’s push to promote Carbon Capture and Sequestration projects as a joint venture with the private sector to assist in greening of their energy production which will in turn help achieve T&T’s commitments toward the reduction of green-house gases (GHG’s) and decarbonization.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary Feinstein brought to the attention of the Honourable Minister some upcoming conferences, namely the Caribbean Business Conference which will happen on April 12-13 in Miami, Florida, the Offshore Technology Conference in 2-5 May 2022 in Houston, Texas and the Caribbean Trade Mission in October all of which seek to benefit participating T&T companies including the energy service sector.
Minister Young thanked Ms. Feinstein for the visit and expressed a commitment to continued cooperation.
