The Honourable Stuart R. Young MP Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister along with Mrs. Sandra Fraser, Permanent Secretary (Ag) at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries met with Mr. Ryota Kobayashi, General Manager Overseas Power Marubeni Power International Inc; Mr. Mo Majeed, Chairman, Marubeni Power International of South Jamaica (SJPC) and Ms. Sandra Welch-Farrell. The meeting took place at the Trinidad Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre.
Mr. Ryota Kobayashi delivered a message of gratitude to Minister Young as investments in Trinidad and Tobago assets have been best performing among other sizable power generation portfolios of Marubeni International Inc. This is in terms of its technical performance with equal attribution to the good and cooperative relationships being built with its Trinidad and Tobago partners including the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as a shareholder.
In an update on Marubeni’s operations, Mr. Kobayashi outlined that Marubeni is still supportive of gas as a transition energy in areas or regions such as Trinidad and Tobago where gas is an indispensable form of energy and renewable energy is being added to the energy mix.
Minister Young shared that gas is more than a transition fuel as it is going to be around for decades as a cleaner burning fuel when compared to substances such as coal. However, it is part of this country’s energy policy to bring more renewable energy onto the grid especially by looking towards prospects of wind energy generation along the South-Eastern coast.
Hydrogen was also an area of discussion at the meeting as Minister Young shared his vision for Trinidad and Tobago to become a regional leader in adding renewable energy to the energy mix. Minister Young mapped out the areas of action and identified opportunities for synergies including private sector investment.
Recognizing the leadership role that Marubeni plays globally, Minister Young thanked Marubeni for its partnership and expressed the desire to continue working with the company to deliver investments and benefits to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
Minister Young continues to engage in an open-door policy with energy sector stakeholders including international companies with interests in Trinidad and Tobago.