By Samuel Sukhnandan
The current electricity situation in Guyana has caused concern and disruption, but according to Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the General Secretary of the PPP (People’s Progressive Party), it is an issue inherited by the current administration.
In a statement to reporters, Dr. Jagdeo assured the public that the PPP government has a clear plan to tackle this issue through a comprehensive long-term strategy.
Dr. Jagdeo acknowledged the severity of the electricity problem and emphasized that the government is fully aware of the challenges.
He urged Guyanese citizens to understand the complexities the government faces and its efforts to resolve the issue.
One of the key points Dr. Jagdeo highlighted was the missed opportunity to replace outdated generation sets when the Amaila Falls hydro project was rejected by the opposition coalition APNU/AFC.
He explained that the plan was to replace old equipment with newer, more efficient technology, but without the Amaila project, little to no investment was made between 2015 and 2020.
With the demand for electricity increasing due to the construction of new homes, hotels, and factories, the power company is struggling to meet this demand with its current assets.
Dr. Jagdeo emphasized the need for a definitive solution to this issue.
In the interim, Dr. Jagdeo revealed that the government is actively seeking to purchase 40-80 megawatts of power, which will be in place for two years.
Additionally, investments in solar energy will continue, and efforts to restart the Amaila Falls project and repair power generation systems are underway.
The PPP General Secretary’s remarks underscore the government’s commitment to addressing the electricity crisis and implementing measures to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy supply for Guyanese citizens.