TEN companies are in the race to power Bartica using renewable energy, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson disclosed on Monday, while noting that no company has been selected thus far.

He said that the tenders are currently opened. It is not clear when the tendering process will be closed, but Government through the Public Infrastructure Ministry is looking to commence the project this year.

On Sunday, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, reiterated Government’s intention to have Bartica powered by an independent company using green energy.

The project is being initiated at a time when the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is battling to keep the lights on in Bartica. The power plant, situated on First Avenue, Bartica in the heart of the commercial zone, has been a sore issue, not only because of its inability to supply the more than 14,000 residents with reliable electricity, but due to the fact that it is a constant source of pollution.

Last year, the Government, through the Public Infrastructure Ministry, had signaled its intention to power Bartica using renewable energy, solar, wind, and or hydropower, under a build-own-and-transfer (BOOT) structure, to supply 1.5MW of power to GPL’s Bartica Grid, under a negotiated and agreed power purchase agreement.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, said the Council continue to lobby Central Government to expedite the process of relocating GPL’s power plant, stating clearly that the residents of Bartica can no longer endure the heavy pollution.

Marshall, said while he must give credit to GPL for providing “stable” electricity for the past four months, the Council is maintaining that the plant’s relocation is “a must.”

“There is a site at Byderabo that we are looking at but we are concerned because we don’t want to transfer the problem to that area. Environmentally and ethically it doesn’t make sense,” the Mayor posited. As such, an alternative site is being given serious consideration. That area is located on the town’s border in vicinity of the Bartica/Potaro Road. “It is a work in progress. Consultations with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and of course the people of Bartica will lead us in the right direction.”

GPL is reportedly in the process of acquiring new generators for Bartica. According to the Mayor, these new generators will serve as “backups” when the renewable energy project comes on stream in keeping with the town’s green agenda.