A new project has been launched to use locally produced methanol to power a fleet of four heavy-duty transport trucks in Trinidad and Tobago.
Global methanol producer Proman has partnered with Dumore Enterprises Ltd to operate the methanol-powered fleet on the nation’s roads.
The initiative was officially launched on Wednesday in South Trinidad.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Karinsa Tulsie, said the initiative represents an important first step in assessing the practicality and viability of methanol as a transportation fuel in Trinidad and Tobago.
“What happens after this launch will therefore be important. We need to learn from actual operating experience of these vehicles, their fuel consumption, operating costs, reliability, maintenance requirements, driver experience and emissions performance. That evidence will therefore help determine whether there’s a case for wider deployment.”
The Permanent Secretary added that the project will enable methanol, one of the country’s key export commodities, to be used on local roads, creating potential economic and environmental benefits for Trinidad and Tobago.
“These trucks provide a practical example of that approach. They demonstrate how methanol, beyond being an export commodity, can potentially support domestic transport and create new linkages between our petrochemical sector and our wider economy.”
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Dumore Enterprises Limited, Alex Jodhan, said the company will collect operational data from the fleet and provide it to the Government to support its assessment of methanol-powered transport.
“This pilot places practical evidence in the hands of policymakers. As government charts the future of transport and energy policy, you will have real Trinidad and Tobago data, not imported assumptions on which to build. To our financial institutions and investors: what launches today is a measurable de-risk pathway into green transportation in this region.”
PS Tulsie said the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, public agencies, industry partners, and technical stakeholders throughout the duration of the pilot project.
“We must also understand the infrastructure and training that would be required for any expansion, including the needs of operators and emergency personnel, and ensure that the relevant regulatory frameworks keep pace with the technology.”
The 100% methanol-powered fleet began operating across Trinidad and Tobago in July.