Region Eight expects mini-hydroelectricity early next year
FORMALITIES leading to the construction of a mini-hydroelectric plant, to supply electricity for agricultural production, cottage industries and an education complex at Kato in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), are expected to be concluded by early December. The project is to be funded jointly by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Guyana (GOG), it was disclosed by Mr. Horace Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the Hinterland Electrification Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister.
He said EU Officials visited Guyana earlier this year and agreed to provide a significant percentage of the costs in the form of a grant.
According to him, the GOG had, in August, produced all the documentation required by the EU for the decision making.
Williams said: “We are at the stage where the EU is processing these submissions and we hope that this phase is completed by December and that actual work can begin by February next year.”
The Regional Administration of Region Eight has been pushing for the mini-hydro to improve the quality of life for residents in the Pakaraimas since 2007 and Regional Chairman Senor Bell confirmed that the Administration was eagerly looking forward to the construction and commissioning.
It will, he said, impact positively on the development of agriculture and cottage industries in the region.
“We also intend to use it to pump water into the savannahs for large scale agriculture, to process agricultural produce for marketing in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and on the coastland without spoilage. It will make a big difference, in terms of poverty alleviation, as well,” Mr. Bell attested.
The hydroelectric project is intended to be a run-of-the-river type, which means there will be no need for a dam or a reservoir.
The generator will utilise water from the nearby Chiung River and have a capacity of 570 kilowatts.
It is envisaged that it will supply electricity not only to Kato and a planned secondary education complex there but also to the village of Paramakatoi and in between, some 14 miles away.