According to NGC chairman Roopchan Chadeesingh, the focus in the first phase will be to convert public transportation vehicles (both those owned and operated by the Public Transport Corporation and those maxi-taxis operated privately), as well as large transport fleets. This first phase involves an investment of $500 million (USD 78 million) to build 22 new CNG stations and convert 17,500 vehicles, reported Guardian newspaper.
He also underscored the fact that the efforts to switch vehicles to CNG was based on the need to reduce the huge and increasing fuel subsidy that governments have paid to ensure stability in fuel prices. Citing an example, he said the cost of subsidizing one diesel maxi-taxi is about $96,000 (USD 15,000) a year. “We believe that if we invest this $500 million, we will save much more than that outlay,” he added.
Asked why NGC chose to work with ENN, Chadeesingh commented: “They have the capacity, the know-how, so we are looking forward to benefitting from their experience and technology. We have invited them to assess our facilities in Trinidad and Tobago, to advise us on what is required to introduce this program successfully.”
