Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana energy cooperation: There was a time when Guyana was dependent on fuel imports to keep its economy running. However, following the discovery of energy resources in 2015, the fortunes of the South American nation changed drastically. Trinidad and Tobago is another country that might have the energy elixir in its backyard. Both nations have abundant fossil fuel reserves.
According to several media reports, in an effort to take advantage of the resources, infrastructure, and expertise available in both countries, the governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are all set to reopen discussions centered specifically on energy cooperation.
Vickram Bharrat, the minister of natural resources for Guyana, has announced that the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations have been working together on shared goals for a long time. He also noted that efforts to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector have been ongoing
A Stalled Energy Cooperation
Well, in order to improve their domestic energy infrastructure and lessen their reliance on imports, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have been actively pursuing energy cooperation for years.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations was also signed to advance improved cooperation and address trade barriers. In order to commercialize the resource, Guyana has always been eager to advance its natural gas cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname.
However, there was a significant roadblock in the formation and operation of technical working groups after the passing of Franklin Khan, the former energy minister of Trinidad and Tobago, in 2021.
While serving as Trinidad and Tobago’s former Energy Minister, Mr. Khan had a significant impact on the country’s natural gas industry. Guyana saw Khan as a crucial link between the two countries because he was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago delegation that collaborated with them on a joint energy policy.
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The Anti-west minds at work
The sudden resuscitation of these energy cooperation groups is a really interesting development. It is so because Trinidad’s ambitions to become the energy capital of Caribbean islands have got revived. Trinidad recently implemented a number of measures to reduce its reliance on Western nations. Since the US accused Trinidad and Tobago of disobeying its orders in 2020, the relations between US and Trinidad have deteriorated.
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The pursuit of energy independence is a crucial objective for Trinidad and Tobago, and their partnership with Guyana marks a major breakthrough for the Caribbean. While Trinidad and Tobago is focused on achieving their energy goals at any cost, the potential benefits of this collaboration extend beyond their borders.
As Trinidad and Tobago looks to create a Caribbean energy alliance, their outreach to Guyana demonstrates their commitment to securing popular support from the region’s largest oil producer. Together, these two countries have the potential to redefine the energy landscape of the Caribbean.
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