PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds on Thursday spoke of plans that are being explored for the harnessing of hydropower in the Upper and Lower Mazaruni. Addressing Amerindian leaders at the Guyana International Conference Center (GICC), Liliendaal he said there have been several studies in the 1970s; noting that the problems that were highlighted at that time have been taken into account and there are new proposals that have to be studied.
The Prime Minister said that the Mazaruni and Potaro rivers are the two largest with the greatest potential for hydropower development. The government has also been looking at the Amaila Falls for similar development, which has the capacity of about 1,000 megawatts instead of the 165 megawatts that currently exist.
He explained that these types of projects take quite a few years to come into existence. In the case of the upper and lower Mazaruni projects studies will be conducted over the course of the next three years.
There has to be very comprehensive environmental impact analyses and the arrangements for financing and payments have to be worked out. Construction of the actual plants and operationalising will take another few years.
The Prime Minister also spoke about building closer relations with neighbouring states and even further afield with a view to foster trade and develop the economy.
“Materially, we are three times more well off than we were in 1992, however we cannot stop there, there is need for us to ensure that we grow even more. We have to continue looking for opportunities and find ways of utilising those opportunities to bring better paying jobs and greater income, he said.
Despite the tragedy that befell the Amaila project, the Government of Guyana remains committed to the development of hydropower, the Prime Minister assured.
There have been new expressions of interest by multilateral and bilateral sources in re-designing a project that would utilise the country’s hydropower potential in keeping with the thrust of renewable energy playing a transformative role in the country, the economy and the lives of Guyanese citizens. (GINA)