In a significant move to streamline the nation’s energy sector, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath convened a pivotal meeting with the executive team of the Power Generation Company (PowerGen) on October 9. The gathering, held at the ministry’s head office in Port of Spain, marked a new chapter in the governance of Trinidad and Tobago’s power generation framework. This meeting followed a recent Cabinet reshuffle, as detailed in an October 4 gazetted notice, which transferred the oversight of PowerGen, Trinidad Generation Unlimited, and Powergen from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries to the Public Utilities Ministry. The transition was previously under the stewardship of Dr. Roodal Moonilal, the former Minister of Energy and Energy Industries. Joining Minister Padarath were Clyde Elder, Minister in the Public Utilities Ministry, and Shivanna Sam, Parliamentary Secretary in the same ministry. The discussions centered on enhancing the operational efficiency of PowerGen and reviewing existing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Minister Padarath expressed optimism about the realignment, emphasizing its potential to foster greater synergy between electricity generation and distribution across the nation. PowerGen, established in 1994 as a subsidiary of the TT Electricity Commission (T&TEC), manages key power stations in Port of Spain, Point Lisas, and Penal. Despite several divestment initiatives, T&TEC retains a 51% stake in PowerGen. Padarath reiterated the ministry’s dedication to ensuring the reliability, transparency, and sustainability of the country’s power generation infrastructure, vowing to take a proactive approach to addressing sectoral challenges. In addition to his public utilities portfolio, Padarath, who represents Couva South in Parliament, also serves as a Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister. Reflecting on the Cabinet reshuffle, Padarath highlighted the urgent need to revisit the PPAs, which he claimed had been neglected by the previous administration. He underscored the government’s commitment to making these agreements more commercially viable and exploring new investment opportunities, in consultation with all stakeholders, as part of a long-term strategy for the energy sector.