Ali defends fossil fuels investment

From right are President Irfaan Ali, Trinidadian Prime Minister Keith Rowley and Trinidad’s Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Stuart Young at yesterday energy conference in Trinidad. (Office of the President photo)

Highlighting the challenges Caribbean nations face due to reliance on imported energy and high fuel prices, President Irfaan Ali yesterday said close to US$11 billion is required to achieve fundamental targets for energy security in the region.

Ali made a case for investment in the energy sector as he addressed the opening of the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference yesterday morning at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain.

The President stated that the region’s reliance on fossil fuels and natural gas has a long future ahead as he pointed out that despite ambitious green energy goals by Caribbean nations, only 11.5% renewable energy has been achieved.