Trinidad & Tobago to supply Jamaica, Guyana with energy

Trinidad and Tobago’s Point Fortin LNG terminal. PHOTO/File

Trinidad &Tobago energy minister Kevin Ramnarine revealed yesterday that Trinidad &Tobago has given Jamaica a commitment that Trinidad &Tobago is willing to reopen talks on the possibility supplying Jamaica with liquefied natural gas (LNG). Ramnarine indicated that the previous administration had started talks with Jamaica about the supply of LNG.

The cost of energy in Jamaica is really affecting the country now. We take it for granted in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaicans pay ten times more than Trinidadians per kilo watt revealed Ramnarine.

Ramnarine said he and Trade Minister Stephen Cadiz met with Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, and gave him a commitment “that we would re-open dialogue with the Jamaicans with the view of supplying them with LNG. We have also gone with a request for proposals for the construction of a re-gasification terminal, so they are preparing themselves to receive LNG.

“Mr Hylton said they would need 3 million tonnes per annum. Our LNG is sold to 21 countries around the world we make 15 million. Ramnarine told the reporters that he is expected to meet with Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud who will be on a two-day visit to Trinidad & Tobago next week.

The ministers are expected to discuss how Trinidad & Tobago can partner with Guyana to develop that country’s energy sector. “Trinidad & Tobago has to play a huge role in supporting the development of the oil industry in Guyana, supporting them in terms of services, in terms of people and so on.

“The government of Guyana has also asked us to appoint a Trinidad & Tobago representative to be on the petroleum advisory committee. I have asked PetroTrin to recommend somebody to serve on that committee. “They need someone who is a geologist or geophysicist to help them.”

Asked what type of services can Trinidad & Tobago provide he said: “We have like cementing services, we have welding services, we have labor supply. We can also provide them with a lot of materials that they need. For example right now we are coating pipe for the Venezuelans … it is an opportunity for Trinidad & Tobago.”