– Over 60 trained to kickoff DDL pilot project to use natural gas to generate electricity

EVEN as ICON LNG prepares to bring the first-ever shipment of Liquid Natural Gas to Guyana, the Caribbean-based company has successfully trained close to 50 Guyanese in the emerging sector.
ICON LNG is set to become the Caribbean Region’s leading supplier of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) to private electricity generators by liquefying natural gas in Trinidad and Colombia and transporting it by ship to regional customers, using the company’s proprietary cryogenic containers.
Here in Guyana, the company is partnering with Demerara Distillers Limited to facilitate a pilot project that would see the use of LNG to generate electricity here.
Speaking at the DDL Training Centre on the East Bank of Demerara, Founder of ICON LNG Eric Schubert explained that the company will connect one of its generators to DDL’s grid to supply electricity using LNG.
Recognising that there is a potential market here in Guyana, Schubert said subsequent to his visit two years ago, his team developed an efficient logistical system to bring liquid natural gas here. “We call it the virtual pipeline,” he posited. The first shipment of Liquid Natural Gas is expected to arrive in Guyana on November 11 to kick off the six-month pilot project with DDL at the Diamond location.
With natural gas being more environmentally friendly when compared to fossil fuel, the Caribbean-based company eyes the possibility of expanding its operations here to include the transportation and mining sectors.
“Natural Gas is much more environmentally friendly, but it is also about being able to get it to the customer, quickly, efficiently and safely,” Schubert posited.
At the time, Schubert was speaking during the closing ceremony for ICON LNG 4-Day Training Course, in the presence of Minister of Business and Tourism, Dominic Gaskin; Minister within the Ministry of Finance Jaipaul Sharma; and DDL Director of Technical Services, Sharon Suehang Bask.
Minister Gaskin, in delivering remarks, said projects such as the pilot project being undertaken by ICON LNG and DDL provide useful information, thereby increasing the business community’s understanding of various options that are available to address some of the needs.
“In this case we are looking at the need for reliable, affordable and clean energy,” he said, while alluding to the current challenges facing Guyana due its inability to competitively produce for the global market.
“Our failure so far to develop a competitive manufacturing industry usually speaks of the lack of affordable and reliable energy as one of the main causes,” the Business Minister added.
He said it is good to see that action is being taken by one of the country’s manufacturing companies to explore a new option for addressing this very “vexing” problem. Minister Gaskin also applauded DDL for taking safety into serious consideration.
On Thursday, 32 participants were presented within certificates for participating in a comprehensive three-day course that covered all Operating and Maintenance procedures, Emergency Procedures, General Safety Rules and handling of all materials related to Liquid Natural Gas. During the closing ceremony on Friday, another batch of 12 participants was presented with similar certificates.
The participants were drawn from first-responder groups – the Guyana Fire Service (Headquarters & Grove) and the Guyana Police Force, as well as the Guyana Energy Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, MACORP, the Martime Administration Department, the Civil Defence Commission and other groups.
The course was conducted by Daniel Wright and Nate Lesperance of HAZMAT Education and Training, a company based in Detroit, USA.
They are both active firefighters with over 20 years experience.