President Dr. Irfaan Ali has unveiled a significant initiative to address Guyana’s energy challenges by announcing the impending arrival of a power ship to bolster the generation capacity of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).
This move comes as a response to the country’s longstanding struggles with power shortages and aims to alleviate strain on GPL while providing relief to consumers.
In a statement released on his Facebook page, President Ali disclosed that the government has inked a contract with UCC Holdings, a Qatari power company, to charter a Turkish power ship.
This agreement is expected to bring an additional 35 megawatts to Guyana’s power grid.
President Ali emphasized the competitive cost of this arrangement, which covers charter costs, generation engines, and operation and maintenance expenses.
The power ship is slated to be chartered for a period of 24 months, with preparations underway to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place upon its arrival.
President Ali also acknowledged the technical capacity deficit at GPL, revealing plans to address this issue.
Despite attempts to recruit local engineers, alternative methods are being explored.
The Cuban Ambassador has offered to deploy skilled personnel immediately to provide technical assistance.
Looking ahead, President Ali underscored the need for additional generating capacity, especially in light of anticipated energy demand.
Plans include considering a second gas plant and expediting the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.
President Ali criticized the previous APNU+AFC coalition for its alleged failure to invest adequately in GPL’s capacity and for not supporting the Amaila Fall project.
He suggested that such actions could have mitigated the current energy predicament.
With these measures in place, Guyana aims to enhance its energy infrastructure and meet the growing demand for electricity in the country.
The power ship initiative represents a significant step towards addressing Guyana’s energy woes and ensuring a more stable and reliable power supply for its citizens.