Professor Kenneth S. Julien (Emeritus) T.C., Chairman of the Board of Governors, UTT (centre left) and Professor Sarim Al-Zubaidy, President, UTT (third from left) with members of the panel at "The Transition to Utility Scale Renewable Energy Generation" Seminar at UTT Point Lisas Campus.

The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), in conjunction with the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, hosted an Energy Seminar which focused on "The Transition to Utility Scale Renewable Energy Generation" on Friday July 27th, 2018 at UTTs Point Lisas Campus.

Addressing the audience, which comprised stakeholders of the energy sector and members of UTTs academia and students, Professor Kenneth S. Julien (Emeritus) T.C., Chairman of the Board of Governors at UTT, shared a historical perspective of the development of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and of Trinidad and Tobagos oil and gas sector.

Professor Julien further challenged the Energy Chamber to make the contributions of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate known, as "other countries come to Trinidad and Tobago to see what we have done". He echoed the assertion that Trinidad and Tobago is a "small country with big ideas"; a sentiment which he credited to former US President Barack Obama (April 2009, Summit of the Americas, Port-of-Spain). He emphasised Trinidad and Tobagos excellent international reputation in the oil and gas sector, irrespective of the country's relatively small size.

Dr. Devon Gardner, Energy Programme Manager of the CARICOM Secretariat delivered the Keynote Address and spoke of the need for a cohesive, regional approach to energy security as "there is no current collective agreement on energy security" by Caribbean territories.

Delivering Closing Remarks, UTTs President, Professor Sarim Al-Zubaidy, noted that he was "especially pleased to see that UTT is continuing the dialogue regarding renewable energy with local and international stakeholders". Professor Al-Zubaidy lauded the discussions for shedding light on the future of renewable energy research at UTT and within the national context. Attendees were invited to tour UTTs renewable energy assets which include the Solar House project as well as the countrys only electric bus.