Today, a team from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries led by Minister Stuart R Young, and the Minister of Planning and Development, Pennelope Beckles, met with representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which included Carina Cockburn, Country Representative, as well as representatives of the National Energy Company of Trinidad and Tobago and its President, Dr. Vernon Paltoo.
The discussions were centered around the continuation of the global energy drive towards clean energy and energy decarbonization and Trinidad and Tobago’s position in this global transition.
Over the last few months, the Inter-American Development Bank has been working in collaboration with the National Energy Corporation on a study to help establish the green hydrogen market in Trinidad and Tobago. The meeting focused on sharing preliminary results of the study and the opportunities available for Trinidad and Tobago to capitalise upon, both in the short-term and long-term future.
Ms. Cockburn noted that the IDB believes that Trinidad and Tobago is well poised to be a regional leader in the incorporation of existing infrastructure and human capital in the drive toward green energy generation.
Minister Young welcomed the discussions and noted the government’s willingness to support sustainable renewable energy projects through the participation of Trinidad and Tobago’s state energy companies and subsidiaries such as National Energy. The IDB intends to hold further consultations with local stakeholders in collaboration with National Energy and will continue to communicate with the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries to develop the potential for initiatives in keeping with the provision of low or zero carbon products.