Congratulations to the First Batch of Certified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Techicians

The wait is over! The first batch of Certified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Techicians have collected their cards. Consumers can now request the card from technicians when engaging their services. A warm congratulations to all the successful candidates for being leaders in making this Certification a reality.....

Recognition Ceremony for English Speaking Caribbean Recipients of the United Nations Environment Ozone Award

The English Speaking Caribbean Region’s performance in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol has attracted international recognition. Caribbean countries have completely phased out the consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), one of the most harmful of ozone depleting substances. Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada completely phased out the use of CFCs years in advance of the mandated deadline. Employing a public-private stakeholder approach the Caribbean Region continues to strive to phase out harmful substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol with options that are more energy efficient, climate and ozone friendly.

English Speaking Caribbean Awardees honoured during a recognition ceremony hosted by the United Nations Development Programme included: 

Dr. Marissa Gowrie- Deputy Environmental Manager/National Ozone Officer Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. Leslie Smith -National Ozone Officer Grenada - Energy Division of the Ministry of Finance

Ms. Artie Dubrie - Sustainable Development Officer - United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC)

 L-R - Mr. Leslie Smith, Ms. Artie Dubrie and Dr. Marissa Gowrie

Photo credit : UN ECLAC  Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 

Photo credit : UN ECLAC  Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 

Photo credit : UN ECLAC  Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 

Photo credit : UN ECLAC  Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 

Dr. Marissa Gowrie

Dr. Marissa Gowrie holds the portfolio of Deputy Environmental Manager/National Ozone Officer in the Environmental Policy and Planning Division - Ministry of Planning and Development, Trinidad and Tobago. Over the last 14 years she has overseen the successful implementation of Trinidad and Tobago's national obligations under the Montreal Protocol, as well as has engaged in international negotiations on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago relating to the Montreal Protocol. In 2011, Dr. Gowrie, representing Trinidad and Tobago was elected to one of five posts of Vice Presidency to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer with a term of office from 2011-2014. She has also co-chaired several Contact Groups at various Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol and Open Ended Working Groups on negotiation issues relating to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol. She has also presented at side events at International and Regional Meetings on the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. Leslie Smith

Mr. Leslie Smith has held the portfolio of National Ozone Officer of Grenada for the past 14 years attached to the National Ozone Unit of Grenada in the Energy Division of the Ministry of Finance. Mr. Smith has overseen the successful implementation of Grenada’s national obligations under the Montreal Protocol and is a very active participant in the Montreal Protocol negotiations at the global level. He was one of the Co-Chairs that presided over the successful negotiations that lead to adoption of the historic Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, in 2016. He has also served on many Montreal Protocol bodies and in 2015 was elected as the Vice Chair of the Executive Committee of the Multi-lateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

Ms. Artie Dubrie

Ms. Artie Dubrie who has been employed in the United Nations System for over 14 years has played a vital role in supporting developing countries in meeting and sustaining Montreal Protocol obligations. Ms. Dubrie has held the portfolios of Regional Network Coordinator for Pacific Island Countries and Transboundary Capacity Building, as well as Policy and Enforcement Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, both with the United Nations Environment Programme. She has also served as a former National Ozone Officer of Trinidad and Tobago. She is currently the Sustainable Development Officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Technical Exchange Visit between the University of the West Indies and the National Ozone Unit of Grenada

An exchange visit was held between the National Ozone Unit of Grenada and the University of the West Indies to discuss some research and development projects relating to natural refrigerant. Mr. Leslie Smith National Ozone Officer of Grenada provided invaluable insight into the experience of Grenada in utilizing natural refrigerant over the last decade as well as some previously done international research in this area.

Tobago Training at the National Energy Skills Center

The National Ozone Unit continued its training of technicians in hydrocarbon refrigerant. Technicians in Tobago were exposed to the basics of hydrocarbon refrigerant as well as participated in a practical session  doing a retrofit of a compressor on an R 290 Unit. The following types of hydrocarbons are commonly used as refrigerants:

R290 Propane

R600a Isobutane

R1270 Propylene

A number of other hydrocarbons, such as blends containing ethane, propane or butane, are also used as refrigerants.

South South Information Exchange between the National Ozone Unit Trinidad and Tobago and Stakeholders from the RAC Sector in Guyana

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) Trinidad and Tobago hosted a delegation from Guyana who visited our shores to be better apprised of our Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector. The delegation was here from the 6^th to the 8^th Dec. The NOU scheduled meeting and sits visits for the three days for the delegation to meet with National Training Agency, the University of the West Indies, Refrigeration expert, Professor Kochhar, representatives from the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association (ARIA) to discuss the  work of Association and the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards to discuss the national standards related to the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector as well as site visits to University of Trinidad and Tobago, School of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Metal Industries Company Ltd. and National Energy Skills Center. 

The delegation comprised:

1.            Elena Stanislavovna Trim - Dean, Faculty of Technology, University of Guyana

2.            Devendra Singh - RAC Trainer, Guyana Sugar Corporation

3.            Joshua Cecil Burnett - RAC Trainer

4.            Mark Orwin Adams - Deputy Principal / RAC Trainer, Government Technical                           Institute

5.            Floyd Fitzgerald Scott - Training Manager, Demerara Distillers Limited

6.            Krishn Deo Sharma - Guyana Council for TVET

7.            Patrick Chinedu Onwuzirike - Assistant Chief Education Officer - Technical