Gas fuelling new development

Speaking at the opening of the 2006 Petroleum Conference at the Hilton Trinidad, London noted that many people view Tobago as "the capital of paradise" because of its vibrant tourism industry which accounts for 50 percent of employment on the island and 90 percent of its foreign exchange. However, London said Tobago has an untapped energy potential because of two small marine gas fields located close to the island, and steps are well advanced to harness this energy as part of an overall plan to diversify Tobago’s economy.

He revealed that plans to establish a 140-acre, eco-industrial estate at Cove Point in southern Tobago were well advanced and the TT Electricity Commission is currently getting final approvals to build a plant at Cove Point which would be fuelled by natural gas.

Noting that Tobago currently receives the bulk of its electricity via two undersea cables from Toco, London said the new plant will significantly improve the power generation capacity in Tobago for both private and commercial applications.

London said guidelines will be set down for the establishment of other businesses at Cove and the THA has identified another ten sites on the island where eco-industrial parks could be established.