Energy MOU between T&T and US will establishe renewable energy centre in TT

Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine meets U.S. VP Joe Biden at the Diplomatic Centre Tuesday.
Finance Minister Larry Howai is also in photo

Trinidad and Tobago and the United States Department of Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote and facilitate cooperation on the scientific, technical and policy aspects of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies. 

The MOU commits both countries to establish a Renewable Energy Research centre, to be located at a local university campus. The intention behind the establishment of this centre is to promote the rapid deployment of critical technologies for renewable energy in the Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago stands to benefit greatly from the establishment of the Regional Renewable Energy Research Centre, which would be established with support from the United States Department of Energy (USDOE).

This MOU provides T&T with the opportunity to partner with a a global leader in green energy technology, for knowledge transfer and information exchange. 

This can be used to implement targeted and effective Research and Development (R&D) programmes, which can spur local green technology innovation and ultimately support the development of a resilient local green energy technology industry. 

Partnerships between local and US companies will allow for capacity building, and will promote local entrepreneurship in renewable energy.This can result in the development of small and medium enterprises that would promote economic diversification and job creation. 

The incorporation of renewables into the local energy mix will lead to reduced local dependence on hydrocarbons, which means that more locally produced hydrocarbons would be available for exports, thereby further enhancing T&T’s economy and competitiveness in the global energy markets. In April 2009, the US Secretary of Energy, in a Bilateral Meeting with Trinidad and Tobago, expressed the desire to forge a relationship to foster green initiatives within Trinidad and Tobago, and the CARICOM region. 

In this context, the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) offered to provide technical and strategic support to Trinidad and Tobago. This led to consideration to the development of a regional Renewable Energy Research Centre in partnership with the United States Department of Energy to be located in Trinidad and Tobago. 

In 2010, several Meetings were held among various Ministries’ representatives, the United States Department of Energy, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The United States Department of Energy expressed its commitment to the success of this effort, and in lending support as needed. A Draft Memorandum of Understanding was developed, initiating the process for discussion for agreement.

Despite the many challenges, a Memorandum of Understanding was finalized and signed. (Refer to the Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs, Senator the Honourable Kevin Ramnarine)