MARVIN GONZALES WARNS OF AI DATA-CENTRE BLACKOUTS & "WEAPONISED" SOE POWERS | PRESS CONFERENCE 16/07

PNM MP Marvin Gonzales delivers a detailed address on Trinidad and Tobago’s proposed AI data centres, the capacity of the national electricity grid, water availability and the Government’s use of State of Emergency powers. Gonzales begins by citing international reports about growing concern over the electricity and water demands of large AI data centres. He argues that Trinidad and Tobago should not rush into these developments without first examining their possible impact on households, businesses, manufacturers and the country’s already strained public utilities. According to Gonzales, international investors may be attracted to Trinidad and Tobago because of access to subsidised electricity and water. He questions whether citizens and taxpayers could ultimately be required to carry the cost of supporting these facilities. During the press conference, Gonzales addresses: • The electricity and water requirements of large AI data centres • International concerns about data centres placing pressure on power grids • The possible impact on utility bills and water supplies • The former WASA transformation programme • Projects he says could have produced an additional five million gallons of water per day • T&TEC’s reported multibillion-dollar debt to NGC • The cancellation of the electricity rate-review process • Trinidad and Tobago’s available generation capacity and reserve margin • The possibility of widespread blackouts if demand exceeds dependable supply • The investment required for new generating plants, substations and grid upgrades Using his estimates of current electricity production and peak demand, Gonzales argues that adding hundreds of megawatts of demand from AI data centres could eliminate the country’s safety margin and leave the grid vulnerable when generating equipment requires maintenance or unexpectedly goes offline. He describes the proposal as “pie in the sky” unless the Government can demonstrate how the necessary electricity, water and infrastructure will be provided. In the final section, Gonzales turns to crime and the State of Emergency. He claims the murder rate remains high despite the emergency measures and argues that criminals no longer fear the SOE while ordinary citizens are becoming afraid to criticise the Government. Gonzales also recounts allegations involving police officers, missing money and the subsequent detention of the person who made the report. He uses this and another alleged case to support his claim that Preventive Detention Orders and emergency powers are being “weaponised” against citizens who challenge the state. Watch Marvin Gonzales’ complete contribution and judge his arguments for yourself. Do you believe Trinidad and Tobago’s electricity and water systems can support large AI data centres? Are State of Emergency powers being used effectively to fight crime—or are citizens’ rights now at risk? Leave your opinion in the comments, share this video and subscribe for more political speeches, press conferences and news from Trinidad and Tobago. The figures, accounts and allegations presented in this video are statements made by Marvin Gonzales and should not be treated as independently established findings. #MarvinGonzales #PNM #AIDataCentres #ArtificialIntelligence #TTEC #WASA #Blackouts #StateOfEmergency #PDO #TrinidadAndTobago #TriniPolitics