National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NEC) has been mandated by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to identify and develop new industrial estates and ports for location of petrochemical, inorganic and downstream industries.  Union Industrial Estate (UIE) is one such industrial estate currently being developed.  The Brighton Port is also being constructed to support the new industries that will be located at the estate.

UIE is located in the county of St. Patrick and is adjacent to the world famous Pitch Lake in La Brea with Sobo Village on its outskirts. The estate is also approximately 1km from the existing la Brea Industrial Estate which is managed by La Brea Industrial Development Company (LABIDCO).

Construction of the estate commenced in April 2004 and was substantially completed in 2006. Additional works which include drainage and road construction are expected to be completed in December 2011 as construction is being carried out on a phased basis.  All works conducted for the Union Industrial Estate and Brighton Port have been carried out in accordance with Certificates of Environmental Clearance (CEC) awarded by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).

What are the main features of this Industrial Estate?

Union Industrial Estate

The UIE project comprises the development of approximately 400 hectares of land and will cater for a mix of heavy and light downstream gas-based industries.  These lands have been levelled and compacted and are ready for use.

The Port of Brighton

The Port of Brighton currently under development contains three major components:

• A dock and storage yard which consists of a 307 m quay wall designed to accommodate handymax vessels.  The quay wall is a combination wall consisting of H--piles and sheet piles which are anchored to an auxiliary wall via tie rods.  The dock provides buffers and anchoring systems to secure crane and ship-unloaders during operations, storms or hurricanes.  Construction of the dock also included the creation of a 9-hectare parcel of backland, 450 m of armour stone revetment, perimeter fencing, lighting and drainage.  A new access road linking the LABIDCO estate corridor to the site was also built.

• Capital dredging is required to create a depth of 12.8 m Chart Datum for the new berth and widen the turning basin..  These works are expected to be completed at the end of January 2011.  Maintenance dredging of the port was completed in 2007.

• Material storage and handling facilities including utilities and buildings have been completed and are available for commercial purposes.

Safety during the operations phase

NEC is committed to the prevention of injuries and loss of life of the public and our employees.  We therefore adhere to the strictest standards of safety and security in our operations.  NEC has over thirty (30) years of experience in the construction and operation of marine facilities including multi-user piers that handle petrochemicals and steel products. 

The following measures form part of the Company’s Environment, Health, Safety & Security Plan for Union Industrial Estate:

• Compliance with Certificate of Environmental Clearance
• Compliance with Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Safety and Health Act 2004 (Amended 2006)
• The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) Environment, Safety and Security Requirements for Contractors
• Point Lisas Energy Association (PLEA) Passport Training
• Contractors/Operators/Leaseholders Health, Safety & Security Policies and Procedures.

What are the benefits of Union Industrial Estate and Brighton Port?

The LABIDCO Estate which lies adjacent is currently operating at near full capacity.  The new industrial estate was built to facilitate the establishment of large scale energy industries with the potential for going downstream.  The benefits to be derived from the new estate include direct and indirect employment, increased foreign direct investment and revenues for the country.  Through this initiative, Trinidad and Tobago is also poised to further strengthen the downstream energy sector.