…describes it as ‘grossly misplaced, misinformed and inaccurate’
HEAD of the Office of Climate Change, Shyam Nokta, has taken issue with the July 4, 2011, editorial in the Stabroek News, describing it as “grossly misplaced, misinformed and inaccurate.”
In a letter to the Stabroek News editor, Nokta said, “It’s a prime example of an editorial rush to judgment based on unfounded presumptions bereft of the facts.”
Following is the text of Nokta’s letter:

It (the editorial) mixes up a large number of issues, but its central premise is that “…it is clear that the government is making little evident effort to construct a low carbon, clean energy economy…”
This conclusion is based on a bizarre reading of the fact that GPL is “installing additional “fossil fuel-based generators this year.”
You know well, and have already carried the news that, Guyana’s Low Carbon Development
Strategy (LCDS) will see the near-elimination of Guyana’s dependence on fossil fuel for
electricity generation by 2015. Specifically:
• The Amaila Falls Hydro-Power project – which is one of the flagships of the LCDS –
will deliver cheaper, more reliable, low carbon energy. It will enable Guyana to become
the highest clean energy consumer per capita in the world – how does this square with
your assertion that Guyana is not pursuing a low carbon path? Details about its role in
delivering a low carbon future for Guyana are available at www.amailahydropower.com.
• The LCDS Hinterland Electrification Project, to commence in September, will result in
11,000 solar panels being distributed to previously un-served households. The
electrification of these homes will provide citizens with access to energy for the first
time. This will create new opportunities for tens of thousands of Guyanese, based on a
low carbon energy source.
• The GUYSUCO 30MW Skeldon bagasse co-generation plant will provide bio-fuel
energy which will be linked to the national grid. This will add to the capacity provided
by Amaila, and further contribute both to Guyana’s low carbon development and
economic growth.
While these three key elements of the LCDS come on stream between now and 2015, any
sensible assessment of Guyana’s immediate energy needs will recognize that GPL, in the short
term, must respond to the current 7% increase in annual consumer demand for electricity, which
is driven by the country’s continued, accelerating development, unless, of course, the Stabroek
News prefers that the country be subject to the blackouts it is quick to complain of.
The Stabroek News is quick to point out the need for transparency on the part of Government.
But this newspaper also has a responsibility to high standards of transparency and journalistic
accuracy. This editorial shows a respect for neither.
Had the Stabroek News bothered to consult the information readily available on the websites of
the Office of Climate Change, the Amaila Falls Hydropower project, the Office of the Prime
Minister, Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), and GPL’s Development and Expansion Plan 2011-
2015 – or even consulted its own back issues – it could not say that the Government is not
making serious efforts towards a low carbon economy.
Instead, a newspaper would acknowledge that the International Monetary Fund 2011 Review of
Guyana’s economy gives full and unqualified recognition to the critical importance and value of
the LCDS, noting that “the medium-term outlook for Guyana is positive, given the authorities
development agenda premised on the LCDS. Building on the favorable performance of the
economy over the last five years, the authorities are preserving and improving the gains of
prudent macroeconomic management. According to staff, real GDP growth is expected to reach
4.8 percent in 2011 and to average 5.7 percent over 2012 to 2014”. The staff report illustrates
that the growth impact of the Guyana-Norway deal on low carbon development will directly
contribute to an increase of 0.4% in GDP growth on average.
It’s unfortunate that the Stabroek News should essay to attack the Low Carbon Development
Strategy in such a hopelessly uninformed manner. While genuinely mistaken reporting may be
forgiven on occasion, an editorial so misguided is inexcusable.