WHILE the global political landscape remains uncertain for Trinidad and Tobago and its Dragon gas deal with Venezuela, Energy Minister Stuart Young says observers will recognise that the Government managed to have conversations in the right spaces.
Young made the comment while speaking at the launch of the National Gas Company of T&T (NGC’s) Energy and Green Energy Maps yesterday at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad), Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.
“Whilst there can be no reassurance of what is taking place in the world of geopolitics, those who are willing to look on objectively will be able to see on a scorecard that the Government has managed to be having the conversations so far with the decision-makers in the right spaces for us to have gotten this far. I can tell you that there is a long line of others, including those from other jurisdictions, who have been trying as well, and who have not reached as far as we have,” Young said.
Bringing wind energy to grid
On the T&T renewable energy sector, he said, “Two weeks ago, I went to Cabinet, got the approval and confirmation for us to pursue full speed ahead the use of wind energy to bring wind energy into our electricity grid. We’re also looking at green hydrogen. Cabinet has approved some restructuring of our green hydrogen project and we’re looking at other green hydrogen projects.”
He said that this approach will enable Trinidad and Tobago to bring two green hydrogen projects online.
Focusing on the Energy and Green Energy maps, Young commended NGC for their work on them, saying that he shares them with all potential collaborators in the energy sector.
“Every time I meet with international persons in T&T to talk about our energy sector, I take them to these maps because they are a great illustration on a (simplified) visual (level)...of how our energy sector is put together and how sophisticated it is,” said Young.
Speaking about the maps, NGC chairman Joseph Ishmael Khan described them as X-rays, revealing the inner workings of structures and pipelines, especially considering that much of the infrastructure is “largely invisible.”
Energy the backbone of the economy
“When we can see the scale and scope of the network on paper from platforms to pipelines to plants, it is much easier for us as citizens to appreciate the reference that ‘energy is the backbone of the economy’,” said Khan.
He said that it will also become easier for people to understand why Trinidad and Tobago, despite being a small country, has the potential to become a major player in the global energy sector.
Khan said that the map can also help people understand why there is such a focus on diplomacy, research, investment, planning, and development in the sector.
“The visualisation of the sector through the T&T energy map is also helpful when it comes to explaining the new circumstances of the energy industry, specifically with respect to gas production.”
New supply sources
Khan added that they have heard on “multiple platforms” that “our nearshore gas reserves are depleting” and that the company needs to venture into deeper water to secure new supply sources.
“This, of course, impacts the economy in our gas markets as production becomes more expensive with knock-on effects along the gas value chain. If we look at the T&T energy map, we can better understand the scale of infrastructure and logistical efforts that will be required to bring the gas on shore from increasingly distant fields. This helps foster an appreciation for the emerging complexities of our gas business,” said Khan.
