Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal on Monday issued letters of appointment to the new boards of directors for several state-owned energy companies, as the new government moves to revitalize the country’s energy sector.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, the new boards were appointed for Heritage Petroleum Company Limited, Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited, and Guaracara Refining Company Limited. They are subsidiaries of Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited (TPHL).
Moonilal, who was appointed Energy Minister in May, presided over the brief appointment ceremony at the Ministry’s head office at the International Waterfront Complex in Port of Spain. The ministry said the new boards combine “technical proficiency, strategic insight, and corporate governance experience” to enhance the performance and competitiveness of the companies.
The minister told appointees that the companies play a critical role in the national energy landscape and urged them to strengthen governance, improve operational efficiency, and ensure transparency. He also referenced the mandate of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for Trinidad and Tobago to “re-emerge as the energy hub of the Caribbean”.
The appointments come as the new administration signals its intent to boost natural gas production, which has been in long-term decline. Trinidad averaged 2.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of gas output in 2024, down from over 4 bcfd a decade earlier. Natural gas is central to Trinidad’s economy, feeding a major petrochemical and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.
The government also plans to overhaul the approvals process for upstream permits in a bid to make investment more attractive.
