MINISTER of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy yesterday announced that the Skeldon Sugar Factory is still not working to capacity but noted that modification works on the factory will begin at the end of the present crop.

He made this statement in response to a question asked by fellow People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Dr. Vishwa  Mahadeo during the first session of the 33rd sitting of the National Assembly.
“The Skeldon factory for various reasons, not all to do with the factory itself but some of it has to do with matters external to the factory, is operating at an average 60 to 65 percent capacity,” the minister  stated.
Dr. Ramsammy pointed out that redesign works have been scheduled to begin after the current crop, which he said was part of the discussion during the budget debate. South African firm, Bosch Engineering has been contracted to modify the Skeldon factory to fix the problems it has been experiencing.
He added that although it is not all the work to be done, when that particular work that was budgeted for is completed, the factory is expected to reach a capacity of approximately 85 percent.
He further highlighted that the factory performed better during this last crop, noting that in the first crop it had a TCTS (tonnes of cane per tonnes of sugar) of 19.6, while during this crop the TCTS is 14.3 which shows an improvement.
Dr. Ramsammy reiterated that not all the work to be undertaken will be done by Bosch Engineering. For example, he pointed to the modification to the punt dumper design and replacement of structure which is one of the critical components of the work to be done but which is not included in the Bosch contract.
According to him, the second component is the modification to the cane conveyer and the cane preparation equipment, which is a part of the work to be done by Bosch Engineering. Additionally, the installation of the condensate tank to boost the fusion efficiency, the new technology that was introduced at the Skeldon factory, and the redesign of the condensate tank is being done.
The minister further stated that the modification to bagasse conveyer, the ploughs and scratcher is also included in the Bosch Engineering contract and will help to boost the co-generation capacity of the factory.
Dr. Mahadeo also asked whether the Skeldon factory is providing any power to the national grid, to which Dr. Ramsammy responded in the affirmative.
“In terms of the supply to the national grid electricity, the answer is yes. We are supplying to the national grid. Power is supplied continuously to the grid on an hourly basis averaging 5.5 to 6 megawatts,” he related.
In addition, he advised that during peak periods as much as 8 to 10 megawatts are supplied which is achieved utilizing turbo generators that use bio fuel or “bagasse”.
In terms of plant maintenance, the minister noted that a comprehensive continuous maintenance programme is one of the features of the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo’s) work.
He was also asked what acreage of cane expansion is yet to be completed in order to supply the factory with sufficient canes for it to perform at maximum capacity.
Dr. Ramsammy pointed out that the acreage is partly why the factory is not working to its full capacity. He stated that there are still approximately 2,600 hectares remaining to be brought into operation, 782 hectares of which are located within the estate property and 1,845 hectares which are private farmers’ property.