…CEO Wrobel says President shows strong support for project
CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO), Sithe Global, Bruce Wrobel, and Senior Vice-Presidents, James McGowan and Brian Kubeck yesterday met with President Donald Ramotar for the first time since he took Office, to discuss the way forward with regards to the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP).
Wrobel, in a brief comment, said that the Guyanese Head of State showed very strong support for the project, and that his company is very encouraged by the steps that are being taken to see the completion of the access road so that construction of the hydro can commence in a few months.
The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the brainchild of the former President Bharrat Jagdeo, will catalyse a seismic shift in the energy infrastructure of Guyana, in the environment for doing business and in the quality of life in Guyana.
In July 2010, the Guyana Government signed off a loan to build the project and formalise the cooperation between the Guyana Power and Light Company, Sithe Global, China Development Bank and China Railway First Group Company Limited.
This project will materialise the largest investment ever made in Guyana, with more than 2,000 jobs being created during the construction phase, moreso, when completed, it is expected that it will result in annual savings amounting to US$135M on the national fossil fuel import bill, generate more than 150MW of power from a renewable source, and reduce the cost of power to the final consumer, thereby improving the investment environment, reducing the cost of living, attracting investment, and creating more jobs.
It is also expected to transform Guyana from a country that is completely dependent on fossil fuel sources for electric energy to a country that utilises only renewable sources for the national power grid, along with the establishment of a prototype for future hydropower projects, whether to meet expanded domestic demand or for the export market.
The AFHP consists of a hydropower dam built at the junction of the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers. The electricity will be generated by specially-designed and purpose built turbines and deliver substations in Linden and Sophia, by new 270KV long and 230KV high voltage transmission lines.
It includes a new 67km access road, part of which was built by Synergy Holdings before its contract was terminated for failing to honour one of the terms of its completion agreement. These new roads, along with some upgrades, will facilitate movement of the equipment that will be used to build and operate the facility.