GOVERNMENT has undertaken projects that prioritise sustainable, feasible and environmentally friendly methods of electricity supply for hinterland communities, including the development of a mini hydropower facility on the Chiung River at Kato, Region 8.
Additionally, there will also be installation of new generation capacity at Orealla, Siparuta, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Mahdia, Port Kaituma and Moraikobai, with the construction of a mini grid, transmission and distribution system in each of these communities. Thus far, the implementation of the systems has been completed in Mahdia and Port Kaituma.
With regard to the Port Kaituma power supply system, Regional Executive Officer (Asst.) Deon Seecharran noted that residents in the community are expected to start receiving power to their homes and businesses from today.
He indicated that about 600 households would now be able to access this service as the electrical poles, lines, transformers and generators have already been installed, and the construction of the power station is also completed. To date, 60 meters have been installed in both residential and commercial buildings. This component of the project costs $171M.
Seecharran pointed out that the project will be expanded to Matthews Ridge where a similar exercise will commence shortly.
This project is being facilitated under government’s Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP) and is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
On October 15, the Mahdia Power and Light, a $150M investment, was officially commissioned by Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, and this is also a part of the UAEP. This adds to the existing developmental projects taking place in one of the country’s largest mining regions.
To date, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. has expended over US$7.1M towards the extension of its grid to accommodate existing unserved areas, such as new housing communities in Linden, Timehri, East Berbice, Bartica, East and West Coast Demerara, West Bank Demerara, Essequibo and Georgetown.
Through the UAEP, access to electricity was provided to over 24,000 households. The aim of the project was to implement government’s socio-economic development and poverty alleviation strategy and related polices, strengthen the legal, regulatory and institutional framework of the power sector, and accelerate the development of the electricity sector and extension of services to unserved communities. (GINA)