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WITHOUT timely parliamentary support, progress with the Amaila Falls Hydro Power (AFHP) project could be threatened as critical deadlines are threatening and expiration dates on certain commitments expire this year, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh expressed recently. Dr. Singh had earlier signalled that tomorrow’s sitting of Parliament is critical for matters relating to the AFHP project. Two matters up for discussion are a motion to increase the debt ceiling and Amendments to the Hydro Electric Act.
Government tabled Hydro-Electric Power (Amendment) Bill 2013 – Bill No.15/2013, tabled on June 13, is scheduled to be read a second time on July 18 in the National Assembly. Following the format of the reading of Bills, there is expected to be vigorous debate.
Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds had tabled the amendment to the Hydro-Electric Power Act which increases the penalty for the breach of regulations made under the principal Act to $1M. The Bill also confers on the president, the power to create hydro-electric offset reserve areas and rules for the establishment of the said areas, and for the conservation and preservation of the environment and ecosystem surrounding the hydroelectric resources in Guyana.
This Bill comes at a time when Guyana is preparing to welcome hydroelectricity, via the AFHP project, moving towards more sustainable development practices.
Government, over the last few weeks, has maintained a close engagement with the opposition, particularly APNU. A huge number of critical documents have been shared on a confidential basis. Despite repeated invitations, the AFC has not taken up government’s offer to engage on the issue.
Decisions on the matters at the upcoming parliament meeting are critical to ensuring that the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) timetable for the Board’s consideration of the transaction is achieved. Government officials have indicated that key documents pertaining to the environmental studies of the project have been published on the bank’s website.
Government has engaged key stakeholders, including the opposition, during key points of the project’s development. Early last year, Sithe Global made presentations to the media, private sector groups, and opposition parties. Various meetings were also convened at the Office of the President for presentation to the opposition in March 2012, March 2013, and most recently, in June of this year.
The AFHP is the most prominent and transformative project which will convert Guyana from being entirely dependent on fossil fuels to becoming reliant on renewable energy. This will in turn bring benefits and the avoidance of a significant import bill associated with fuel for electricity generation.
Minister Singh also pointed out that hydro power in Guyana will see a reduction or almost elimination of the risk of exchange rate, and it will remove the risk of price volatility, particularly regarding oil.
The minister noted also that while hydro power is extremely attractive and beneficial to Guyana, it has environmental advantages, being consistent with the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy. Putting all these advantages together, he observed that it would bring reliable power, more affordable power, reduce the cost of electricity to every household, and to every business, and relieve the business in having to invest in back-up power. (GINA)
Government tabled Hydro-Electric Power (Amendment) Bill 2013 – Bill No.15/2013, tabled on June 13, is scheduled to be read a second time on July 18 in the National Assembly. Following the format of the reading of Bills, there is expected to be vigorous debate.
Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds had tabled the amendment to the Hydro-Electric Power Act which increases the penalty for the breach of regulations made under the principal Act to $1M. The Bill also confers on the president, the power to create hydro-electric offset reserve areas and rules for the establishment of the said areas, and for the conservation and preservation of the environment and ecosystem surrounding the hydroelectric resources in Guyana.
This Bill comes at a time when Guyana is preparing to welcome hydroelectricity, via the AFHP project, moving towards more sustainable development practices.
Government, over the last few weeks, has maintained a close engagement with the opposition, particularly APNU. A huge number of critical documents have been shared on a confidential basis. Despite repeated invitations, the AFC has not taken up government’s offer to engage on the issue.
Decisions on the matters at the upcoming parliament meeting are critical to ensuring that the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) timetable for the Board’s consideration of the transaction is achieved. Government officials have indicated that key documents pertaining to the environmental studies of the project have been published on the bank’s website.
Government has engaged key stakeholders, including the opposition, during key points of the project’s development. Early last year, Sithe Global made presentations to the media, private sector groups, and opposition parties. Various meetings were also convened at the Office of the President for presentation to the opposition in March 2012, March 2013, and most recently, in June of this year.
The AFHP is the most prominent and transformative project which will convert Guyana from being entirely dependent on fossil fuels to becoming reliant on renewable energy. This will in turn bring benefits and the avoidance of a significant import bill associated with fuel for electricity generation.
Minister Singh also pointed out that hydro power in Guyana will see a reduction or almost elimination of the risk of exchange rate, and it will remove the risk of price volatility, particularly regarding oil.
The minister noted also that while hydro power is extremely attractive and beneficial to Guyana, it has environmental advantages, being consistent with the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy. Putting all these advantages together, he observed that it would bring reliable power, more affordable power, reduce the cost of electricity to every household, and to every business, and relieve the business in having to invest in back-up power. (GINA)
