THE Government has been keenly pursuing alternative energy possibilities for our country and Mr David Granger’s promise of alternative energy, via the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, to boost the growing manufacturing sector is “opportunistic.”This point was recently underscored by Prime Minister and Minister Responsible for Energy and Electricity, Samuel Hinds.

“The blocking of Amaila when proposed by this Government, a possible 100 per cent conversion in the source of GPL’s electricity generation from petroleum to a renewable source, makes Mr. Granger’s promises opportunistic,” he said in a recent letter published in the local press.
He explained that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration initially pursued a small hydropower project with the Government of China and about 1995 approved the hydro development at Moco-Moco, including a small network for Lethem, which was then still dependent on fuel being flown in from Georgetown, or coming by road from Venezuela and Brazil.
According to him, on beginning the operation of the Moco-Moco Hydro plant in 1999, it was natural to move from “lights at night” to a 24/7 electric supply.
“Lethem Power Company Inc. was born but Moco-Moco was disrupted by a landslide in 2003. A team from China was quickly brought to review the situation and make recommendations. The views of experienced local and other persons were also sought.
Hinds noted that several options were on the table, which were considered and decided on, in the interest of the Guyanese people and the existing development dynamic.
“If we are to talk about stunting the growth of our economy and of us Guyanese, and of keeping us poor, there is little that can match the delaying of Amaila,” he said.
On July 18, 2013, the combined Opposition in Parliament defeated the Hydroelectric Power (Amendment) Bill in the National Assembly, and in August the Government took the legislation back to the House and received the backing of AFC, but APNU voted down the bill and motion.
Despite this, development partners have indicated their continued support based on confidence in the project’s merits.
This expression of support follows last October’s promised transfer of an accumulated US$80M in payments from Norway, US$45M released in 2013 and US$35M released last October, to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which would be used as Guyana’s equity contribution to the project.
IDB STILL ON BOARD
The transfer of the monies to the IDB follows a clear indication of support for the project from the Bank last August, where the organisation made it clear that it was “still on board” for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.
President Donald Ramotar has also assured that construction of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project will commence before the end of 2015.
The hydropower project is touted to be able to provide Guyanese with a cheaper, reliable and sustainable electricity supply. It involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of West-Central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong Rivers meet. Electricity produced there would be delivered to Georgetown and Guyana’s second largest town, Linden.
The AFHP is anticipated to result in substantial savings to the nation’s coffers, particularly in terms of foreign exchange and the purchase of heavy fuel oil, as well as create many opportunities for jobs, among other advances. (Vanessa Narine)