…to aid in expanding housing schemes

LINDEN Electricity Company (LECI) will receive a $2.7B subvention – an increase of $140M or 5.32 per cent to facilitate the expanding housing schemes in Linden and neighbouring Bamia. Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson made this disclosure yesterday in the Parliamentary Committee of Supply during the consideration of the 2016 budget estimates.
HOUSING DRIVE
It was explained that an increase in electricity consumption is anticipated in Bamia, Amelia’s Ward and Wiroc Phase 3 where the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing is expected to roll out an aggressive housing drive to meet the needs of residents.
Minister Patterson said Linden, with a consumer base of approximately 9, 000, consumes 280 kilowatt per month per household unit. Residential consumers there pay $5 per kWh while commercial consumers pay $12 per kWh.
In addition to LECI, subventions for the supply of electricity have been budgeted for the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc., Kwakwani Utilities Inc., Lethem Power Company, Mahdia Power and Light Company, Moruca Power and Light Company, Matthews Ridge Power and Light Company and Port Kaituma Power and Light Company.
This year the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. will receive a $43.2M subvention while Kwakwani Utilities Inc. is set to receive $345.7M and Lethem Power Company $105M. Mahdia Power and Light Company will receive $25M, Moruca Power and Light Company $10M, Matthews Ridge Power and Light Company $15M and Port Kaituma Power and Light Company $25M.
Residents in Kwakwani benefit from free electricity but the four main commercial companies there pay $60 per kWh. With the exception of Linden, communities across the country pay between $60 and $80 per KWh.
The Minister also pointed out that residential consumers in Georgetown consume approximately 150 KW per household per month. In other communities the consumption rate is less than 100 kw per household unit per month.
The Berbice Bridge Company ($150M), Guyana Energy Agency ($69.7M) and Transport and Harbours Department ($430M) were among agencies also being subsidized by the Public Infrastructure Ministry.