Phone No:
+1 (246) 430-4000
National Petroleum Corporation
Wildey
St. Michael BB 11000
Email Address:
customerserv@npc.com.bb
The National Petroleum Corporation (NPC) is a statutory body established over 40 years ago with the mandate to manage the distribution of natural gas supply for domestic, commercial and industrial use in Barbados.
Natural gas has been classified as the Bridging Fuel for Barbados on the pathway towards cleaner energy and national energy resilience. Consequently, NPC has expanded its remit into green energy solutions like biomethane and wind energy, Geomatics Services including Ground Penetration Radar whilst simultaneously pursuing greater expansion of natural gas utilization.
The purpose of the Corporation is to provide and maintain a reliable, safe and efficient energy service to customers at a reasonable cost.
The Mission of the Corporation is to provide and maintain a safe, reliable, efficient and competitive energy service to consumers and be instrumental in implementing the Government’s energy policy to improve the quality of life in the community which it serves.
Due to the depletion of local resources of natural gas, the decision was made to supplement the national supply with imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). In 2016, the LNG Plant at Woodbourne, St Philip was completed with direct injection to the national grid.
In 2021, The National Petroleum Corporation celebrated their 40th Anniversary and this same year the Satellite LNG Regasification Plant Project for Mount Gay Distilleries was completed. This LNG plant is a mobile solution for LNG regasification for the purpose of providing natural gas to a sole customer not connected to the NPC natural gas grid.
In 2023, the NPC is expanding their energy services into areas like Wind Energy, Bioenergy Development, Automotive Compressed Natural Gas, Geomatics, Natural Gas Generators and Energy Management services as they lay the pathway to renewable energy and national energy resilience.
The National Petroleum Corporation embarked on its largest Capital Expansion Project – Gasworks 2000 aimed at bringing natural gas to an additional 4,000 households in the island. Though faced with challenges caused by the high cost of excavation and reinstatement for this project, by 2003 the Corporation had successfully completed a wide range of household installations.
The National Petroleum Corporation was established by an act of parliament in 1979 but remained dormant until 1982 when the functions of the Natural Gas Corporation were transferred to the National Petroleum Corporation.
The primary function of the NPC was the sale of natural gas for domestic, commercial and industrial use through its pipeline network.
In 1950 the Natural Gas Corporation was created and by 1955 had only been responsible for production and transmission. The Natural Gas Corporation then took over the distribution operations from the Barbados Gas Co Ltd.
A massive programme was started to correct some of the problems of the previous operation and to execute an ongoing expansion programme to bring natural gas within the reach of the less privileged Barbadians.
By 1940 very little expansion had been achieved and the numbers of consumers were then only about 500. The revenue gains were not enough to properly maintain and further expand the distribution system.
This situation was further compounded by a shortage of coal during World War II, therefore when natural gas became available the Barbados Gas Company bought gas to fulfil their commitments.
As far back as 1870 a number of hand-dug shafts known as the Lloyd’s oil wells were sunk to a depth of 100 feet on the east coast of the island yielding a small production of heavy tar oil.
In 1873 The Barbados Gas Company Ltd was formed. Its head office in England manufactured gas from coal. Because of its high cost, the use of gas was restricted to the elite in the areas through which mains were laid.
The National Petroleum Corporation (NPC) is a statutory body established over 40 years ago with the mandate to manage the distribution of natural gas supply for domestic, commercial and industrial use in Barbados.
The Corporation falls under the portfolio of Senator the Hon. Lisa Cummins, Minister of Energy and Business Development.
The National Petroleum Corporation prides ourselves in playing a role and participating with social activities to support various initiatives expressing our dedication and commitment in making a positive impact.
