Reigniting T&T’s Energy Industry: From Legacy Strength to Future Power

January 14th, 2026

Globally competitive incentives, imaginative collaboration across Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region, and the education and reskilling of the national workforce are strategic actions that must be urgently pursued by major players in the energy sector, says Mala Baliraj, Chairperson of The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago.

Reflecting on the evolution of the sector, Baliraj highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s key successes over the last quarter century and outlined the way forward if the industry is to regain and surpass its historical regional prominence as an energy leader and contributor to the country’s growth and development.

Powering Progress with Bold Action

“Trinidad and Tobago continues to build on decades of experience in the oil and gas industry and has maintained its reputation as one of the region’s energy powerhouses over the past 25 years,” Baliraj stated. Important turning points, she added, include the expansion of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports through the Atlantic LNG facility, the continued development of deepwater exploration, and the diversification of downstream petrochemical industries.

“I believe the country has strengthened its regulatory frameworks, providing greater stability and boosting investor confidence. We have also developed a highly skilled workforce that remains among the most competitive globally, making contributions that impact the world of energy in almost every country with an energy generation footprint.”

To maintain and strengthen upstream production, attract investment and extend the life of the country’s oil and gas assets, Baliraj said a multi-pronged approach is needed: “First, to encourage new exploration and production, we need to be an attractive destination for investors with globally competitive incentives.

“Second, there must be continued emphasis on collaboration between government and industry stakeholders to refine investment conditions and regulatory policies toward a more agile and transparent framework for the oil, gas and energy industry.”

Collaboration Fuels Sustainable Competitiveness

“I believe that there must be close collaboration between the public and private sectors to realise the full potential of Trinidad and Tobago’s energy future. Emphasis should be placed on accelerating regulatory approvals to attract investment and on integrating sustainability into the national energy agenda,” Baliraj asserted.

The Energy Chamber encourages its members to think outside the box to develop innovative ways of collaboration, thereby enhancing overall efficiency and profitability. She applauded the practice of vessel sharing among some major offshore operators as an example of this forward-thinking approach.

As hundreds of service companies and contractors continue to support major operators, we must ensure that the sector remains competitive across the entire value chain, Baliraj continued. She noted that The Energy Chamber had advocated for more timely payments to contractors and subcontractors. “This was identified as a key element that could significantly improve the cash flow of smaller member companies.” At the November 2024 Local Content Forum, 44% of the Chamber’s members reported improvements in payments over the previous six months – a positive trend she hopes will continue.

The Case for Regional Energy Integration

Collaboration is also required within the region if we are to remain committed to our energy security and to creating a long-term revenue pathway, Baliraj noted. “We have always been actively involved in efforts in regional integration and continue to believe that the full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, or CSME, will help boost economic development in all Caribbean countries.” 

At the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Conference in June 2025, she emphasised that a collaborative approach is needed among governments, regulators and regional organisations to benefit fully from the integration of energy systems. Baliraj told delegates: “There is significant potential in regional grid integration, and we think it is a conversation that needs to be actively pursued. We are clear that all economies in our region are small and therefore vulnerable to external shocks. Better regional integration will help build resilience and allow for a more diversified energy mix.”

Innovate, Upskill, Transform

Baliraj was direct about the role and responsibility of energy sector companies.  At the T&T Energy Conference in January 2025, she told energy executives: “While we can all point to ‘ease of doing business’ issues with regulatory agencies, it is also important for the industry to look inwards for improvements. Too many of our own companies have legacy business processes that can be significantly improved. Artificial intelligence can be an important lever to help drive efficiency and speed up delivery.”

She further elaborated: “Upgrading our local capacity to support cross-functional operations, with a focus on incorporating technological innovation, such as digitalisation and artificial intelligence, to keep our workforce at the forefront, is also key.

“Additionally, education and reskilling programmes like The University of Trinidad and Tobago’s (UTT’s) energy transition curriculum and The T&T Energy Chamber’s industry-recognised training courses, respectively, must continue to evolve to ensure that the next generation is equipped with the necessary skills in readiness for a modernised and diversified energy future,” she said. 

“Project Lara represents a critical step toward diversifying Trinidad and Tobago’s energy portfolio beyond hydrocarbons and advancing our sustainability future,” The Energy Chamber Chair added. “Within our borders, we have both the expertise and infrastructure to establish a green hydrogen footprint. If we can continue to make strides in repurposing our existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen production and transport, while making further investments in renewables, such as solar and wind, we will be well-positioned to complement the traditional energy sector. The wind assessments currently underway are also a strong step towards diversifying our energy mix,” she stated.

T&T: A Global Energy Leader

Baliraj is confident that the nation can remain a global energy player once it takes prompt and decisive actions. She observed: “My long-term vision for Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector is one of innovation, adaptability and sustainability. We understand and affirm that the oil and gas industry will continue to play an essential role in our economy. However, our greatest asset is our expertise and the resilience of our people. I envision that we can create a balanced playing field where all stakeholders can mutually benefit from Trinidad and Tobago’s capabilities and solidify our standing in the global energy trade.”

She emphasised: “Trinidad and Tobago has the most mature infrastructure for LNG and petrochemicals in this region. If we can harness the right partnerships, we can play a pivotal role.”

By Kay Baldeosingh-Arjune