Ravi Tewari has been appointed the new chairman of NewGen Energy Limited, the company behind one of Trinidad & Tobago's hydrogen projects. Tewari's appointment became official during a visit to HDF Energy's high-powered hydrogen fuel cell factory in Bordeaux, France recently.
This appointment comes at a critical time for HDF and NewGen as the large-scale hydrogen project moves closer to its final investment phase. Tewari is the former Group CEO and a former director of Guardian Holdings Limited.
HDF has stated that the NewGen project will cost $500 million. The facility will produce low-carbon hydrogen from water electrolysis, powered by solar and other low-carbon energy sources. The hydrogen will be used to replace a portion of the natural gas-derived supply currently used at an ammonia plant in Point Lisas.
Once operational, NewGen will be the Caribbean's largest industrial-scale green hydrogen plant. It is expected to cut around 200,000 tons of CO₂ annually and enable the production of low-carbon ammonia. This, in turn, will strengthen Trinidad & Tobago's position as a world-leading ammonia exporter. The reduced carbon intensity of production will also help producers meet carbon reduction targets for supplying EU markets, which will be affected by Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms in 2026. Other markets, like the UK, are also implementing similar measures that could impact T&T exporters.
HDF holds a 70% stake in NewGen, with its local partner and project developer, National Hydrogen Investment Ltd. (NHIL), holding the remaining shares.
The NewGen project expands on HDF's Caribbean footprint, following the CEOG project under construction in French Guiana and the Renewstable Barbados project, which is in its final development phase.