Russell Elcock

Energy Division - Government of Barbados

The Government of Barbados' Energy Division was established in 1978 under the Ministry of Trade on the advice of technical assistance experts from the Overseas Development Administration of the United Kingdom. A geologist, seconded from the Ministry of Agriculture, was the first full-time employee of the Energy Division which was previously staffed by one part-time employee, the Director of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Since 1978, the Ministry has expanded into an organisation responsible for oil and gas, renewable energy and energy conservation (having amalgamated with the Energy Conservation Unit). The Ministry also provides geological and earth science services to other Government departments, as well as to the private sector. The Ministry is charged with the mandate of monitoring petroleum price movements; liaising with the CARICOM Secretariat and OLADE on regional energy issues; preparing Cabinet Papers, briefs, speeches, position papers and comments on energy, geological and earth science-related matters; so that the functioning of an efficient, reliable sector may be ensured. The Energy Division is comprised of an Administrative Unit, Legal & Regulatory Unit, Natural Resources Department, Renewable Energy & Energy Conservation Unit, Research & Planning Unit, Project Execution Unit and Project Monitoring Unit. The Energy Division is also responsible for monitoring the Barbados National Oil Company Limited (the entity responsible for the onshore exploration, production and procurement of oil and gas); the Barbados National Terminal Company Ltd. (the entity responsible for the terminalling and storage of crude oil and refined petroleum products); and the National Petroleum Corporation (the entity responsible for the distribution of locally produced and imported natural gas).