CARICOM still looking at energy security plan – President Ali

As Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago forge ahead with plans to develop oil and gas resources, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is still hoping to create a plan that will dictate how the resources found in member states can be harnessed.

Guyana’s President and Chairman of CARICOM, Dr. Irfaan Ali said the region is looking at achieving regional energy through a mix of renewable energy and hydrocarbons.

Before the 15-member bloc agrees to any plans, however, there must be groundwork to determine how best energy resources in the region can be harnessed.

“That work has to be looked at by our technical people.

“We are going to put together a technical report and have a paper put together in Grenada (when the next regional Heads of Government meeting will be) for regional energy security and regional energy assets,” Dr. Ali explained.

Dr. Ali also said CARICOM countries appreciate that they must mobilise capital and attract investment opportunities to help guarantee the region has enough energy to fuel its development needs.

Two years ago, when CARICOM leaders met in Suriname, there was substantial momentum for a regional energy plan that would see CARICOM leveraging the resources and capabilities of Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Talks on creating this plan have been intermittent but not absent.

At the recently concluded Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, President Ali and Trinidad’s Energy Minister Stuart Young said more CARICOM nations should collaborate and harness the abundant resources available to them.