Hydropower still on the cards for Guyana


Published on Thursday, June 5, 2008

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has said that efforts by the Guyana government to pursue alternative sources of energy as a means of looking beyond the demand for fossil fuel are still on the cards.


Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, GPL's Chairman Winston Brassington and CEO Bharrat Dindyal speaking to members of the Economic Services Committee

The prime minister made these remarks while addressing members of the Economic Services Committee on Wednesday, who had requested his presence to respond to questions of electricity supply and the operations of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) among other related issues.

The Committee, which included Anthony Vieira, (Chairman), Gail Teixeira, Winston Murray, Irfan Ally, Khemraj Ramjatan, among others, submitted a list of questions relating to the government’s future plans for the fossil fuel generation of energy, the projected cost of electricity production to the national grid, the current level of technical and commercial power loss, the Un-Served Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP) and the regulatory framework for electricity.

The prime minister, accompanied by GPL’s chairman Winston Brassington and chief executive officer (CEO) Bharrat Dindyal also responded to questions about the projected needs for renewable energy initiatives and the challenges Guyana is likely to face for investing in hydroelectricity, wind power and solar energy.

The Prime Minister said hydroelectricity has been in the making since the 1970s when an initial survey with the United Nations (UN) was conducted.

He made reference to the Amelia Falls, which is one of six sites identified as a potential location in Guyana and which is well-known for its cascading waterways.

The Prime Minister said that it is hoped that by year-end ‘the ground will be broken’ for the development of the Amaila site, which is capable of providing about 140 megawatts of electricity for Guyana.

“This is an issue of switching from electricity from the current price to electricity at nearly the same price but being protected against further increases in the price of oil,” the prime minister said.

About 70 to 80 percent of Guyana’s electricity needs are to be supplied from this source by the year 2012, the prime minister projected.

Considerable progress had been made in the development of the project but the investor, according to the prime minister, found difficulties with the investment cost and the price of oil at that time.

The project was expected to be facilitated by a US$200 million hydrostation, which includes a dam and the power house, and US$150 million for the transmission lines.

Given the topography of Guyana, the prime minister said the cost for pursuing hydropower projects will be high.

“The unit cost for hydropower stations itself is higher in Guyana than other stations that were being developed elsewhere in the world and the distance is also an issue,” the prime minister said.

The government is also hopeful that the Turtruba Hydro Project in the Mazaruni, Region Seven will be realised. This site has been identified through a feasibility study in 2002 as one with immense potential to supply power to the Caribbean region.

The Turtruba Hydropower project has the potential of producing more than 11,000 megawatts of power with minimal environmental degradation.

The hydropower technology will allow isolated power sources to be transmitted to Brazil and parts of the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica could be beneficiaries of the power supply.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-8329--13-13--.html

So what are they waiting for??

I thought that this Sam Hinds pet project.. he did a good job supplying the villages and islands in the essequibi river with electricity..

I don't take these people seriously, especially when they talk about Hydropower, Windpower, and Solar. When it happens then I will be convinced.

Some Guyanese can resort to fireside using coconut shells and dry branches.

Been in the cards since 1966 like everything else.

quote:

Originally posted by Billy Ram Balgobin:
I don't take these people seriously, especially when they talk about Hydropower, Windpower, and Solar. When it happens then I will be convinced.

Some Guyanese can resort to fireside using coconut shells and dry branches.

Cave men..

Soon our neighbours in Suriname will be celebrating 50 years of their own hydropower project. Why do successive Guyanese governments have no intention to take the country forward into prosperity?

Why fret yourself over politicians who are more interested in THEMSELVES than the people of Guyana?

Guyana has so much potential it is distressing to watch the elected leaders dance and prance like little fairies promising goodies to those who vote for the leaders. However, once the SOBs get elected, they move on to satisfy themselves, relatives and close friends/comrades. There is no vision for major or accelerated development.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:
Soon our neighbours in Suriname will be celebrating 50 years of their own hydropower project. Why do successive Guyanese governments have no intention to take the country forward into prosperity?

The intention is there, they just can't do it..

Until I see what develops and decided on the assessment for Hydoelectric Power development in Giyana by the countries/consortium that are actively doing work on this matter, I will reserve my views.

My reports and recommendations should still be with the Guyana Government from the previous Admonistration.

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:
Soon our neighbours in Suriname will be celebrating 50 years of their own hydropower project. Why do successive Guyanese governments have no intention to take the country forward into prosperity?

The intention is there, they just can't do it..

We can can only assess their performance based on actions not intentions.

Why is it that they can't do it and Surinam is about to celebrate it's 50th anniversary?

The Surinamese have a hydroelectric dam and an oil field but we don't have either. Why is that??

We had the wrong colonial master. The Dutch are much more caring people that the Brits. Screw the Brits. They frigged up the world more than any other nation in the last 300 years.

The development of the Brokopondo Hydropower project [ 1959 -- 1965 ] in Suriname was done under Dutch Colonial Administration with the support of ALCOA - [ The Aluminuim Company of America ]

The hydropower dam and plant were built by the Suriname Aluminum Company [ or Suralco ], the local subsidary of ALCOA.

Issues shoudl be taken in perspective.

It was specifically a joint agreement betwen the then Dutch Colonial Admonistration and a private company.

Basically:

1. Suriname Aluminum Company [ SurAlCo/ALCOA ], built the structures.

2. The Dutch Colonial Admoinistration agred to provide property rights, water, plus it expanded the bauxite concession.

Based on the info. Demerara Guy provided I can gathered that it was done in the interest of a major corporation that needed electricity to smelter bauxite.

Exactly Billy Ram Balgobin -- exactly.

Now in Guyana we had the then DEMAA [ Demerara Bauxite Company ] owned and operated by the Canadian parent company ALCAN.

Now, with DEMBA -- to make a long story short:

1. Plans were made for upgrading the compant.

2. Negotiations were underway for a smelter plant.

3. Hence the need for reliable electricity .. and BINGO .. of course hydropower development to serve the smelter plant. BEMBA was to be the maijor client plus of course integrate the hydroelectric poerw plant into the national grid to provide electricity fot the rest of Guyana.

4. Discussions were ualso underway for a deep water harbout for larger ships to come to Guyana.

5. Etc., etc., etc.

NOW -- guess what???

We all know some aspects.

The great LFSB in his wisdom and care for the development for Guyana nationalised DEMBA ... and ... as the known sayings;

... the rest is history ... for the development of a stable source of electricy, which in all countries is one of the backbone for development.

Deleted a double post.

Dem_Guy

quote:

Now in Guyana we had the then DEMAA [ Demerara Bauxite Company ] owned and operated by the Canadian parent company ALCAN.

Now, with DEMBA -- to make a long story short:

1. Plans were made for upgrading the compant.

2. Negotiations were underway for a smelter plant.

3. Hence the need for reliable electricity .. and BINGO .. of course hydropower development to serve the smelter plant. BEMBA was to be the maijor client plus of course integrate the hydroelectric poerw plant into the national grid to provide electricity fot the rest of Guyana.

4. Discussions were ualso underway for a deep water harbout for larger ships to come to Guyana.

5. Etc., etc., etc.

NOW -- guess what???

We all know some aspects.

The great LFSB in his wisdom and care for the development for Guyana nationalised DEMBA ... and ... as the known sayings;

... the rest is history ... for the development of a stable source of electricy, which in all countries is one of the backbone for development.

DG,did Odo recruit you from Dalhouise University in Halifax in 1977? Your above post was quite informative

I believe the most of the capital and expertise necessary for major developments are still in the hands of the major corporations of the world. We tried to run from them and do things on our own. The result is catastrophic.

quote:

Originally posted by Ireton:

DG,did Odo recruit you from Dalhouise University in Halifax in 1977? Your above post was quite informative

No Ireton. I am not that one whom ODO recruited.

I am a graduate from one of the world's prestigeous engineering universities.

I mentioned on another thread regarding a snippet of my reflections on Desmond Hoyte, that I was a Specilist Engineer, Guyana Government, and worked in the respective departments headed by:

1. Desmond Hoyte

2. Hubert Jack

quote:

Originally posted by Billy Ram Balgobin:
I believe the most of the capital and expertise necessary for major developments are still in the hands of the major corporations of the world. We tried to run from them and do things on our own. The result is catastrophic.

Indeed -- very true.

Hence, the wisdom, foresight and decisions the great idolised megalomanic Odo made during his tyranical administration still hamstring Guyana in its developments even now in 2008.

So -- we always need to take things in perspective relative to historical decisions and the lingering effects today.

There is a need to indeed gain the confidence of foreign investors, companies and consortium to be partners for the development in Guyana.

quote:

Billy: I believe the most of the capital and expertise necessary for major developments are still in the hands of the major corporations of the world. We tried to run from them and do things on our own. The result is catastrophic.

At least we agree on that one.

quote:

No Ireton. I am not that one whom ODO recruited.

I am a graduate from one of the world's prestigeous engineering universities.

I mentioned on another thread regarding a snippet of my reflections on Desmond Hoyte, that I was a Specilist Engineer, Guyana Government, and worked in the respective departments headed by:

1. Desmond Hoyte

2. Hubert Jack

Good old Hubbie,that a name from back in the days. Do you think the present GOG will ever call upon you to provide advise in these critical areas?
It is indeed sad that some many qualified persons are abroad and cannot be of any assistance to their country.

China is growing rapidly due to foreign investments. Russia, the greatest of the greatest communist powers collapsed because their economy could no longer compete with western economies. The free market system seems not only more responsive to the needs of the consumers but brings out the best of entrepreneurship in the individual. This is largely due to the expectation of achieving great wealth and status as individual or a group.

quote:

BILLY: China is growing rapidly due to foreign investments. Russia, the greatest of the greatest communist powers collapsed because their economy could no longer compete with western economies. The free market system seems not only more responsive to the needs of the consumers but brings out the best of entrepreneurship in the individual. This is largely due to the expectation of achieving great wealth and status as individual or a group.

That FDIs (foreign long term capital and not hot money) are key for development is undisputed. But there is a spectrum of benefits from FDIs. Some countries benefit more than others. The evidence tend to suggest that those which benefit the most are those with a clearly defined industrial strategy...I dont see any from the PPP. And those seminars Jagdeo keep holding are one grand joke!

I'm not convinced that FDIs in mineral extraction (dig and sell) will be beneficial in the long term.

quote:

Originally posted by Ireton:

Good old Hubbie,that a name from back in the days. Do you think the present GOG will ever call upon you to provide advise in these critical areas?

Yeaman ... Hubbie was a nice man ... at least feom his interactions with me. He always treated me with utmost curtesies, respect and appreciation.

I will show you an example, something that I presented on GNI on a few occasiona in the past on similar discussions.

I was one of the Senior Coordinating Engineers, working for a major International Engineering company, for this project:





Guyana has tremendous potentials for hydroelectric Power development projects.

Currently, Guyana needs one small hydropower plant to be built through the efforts of a ventures with private enterprises.

Now, specific to your question:

Both past and present Administrations knew/knows of my skills.

It is up to the current Administration to decide what assistance they need. I do know, though from serious discussions with other of like minds, many are prepared to assist Guyana, where possible.