THE director of the Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD), Dr. Natasha Gaskin-Peters, has highlighted the significant benefits of the gas-to-energy project for the local business community.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Energy Perspectives Podcast – a programme powered by the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, the economist emphasised that the project will enhance the competitiveness of businesses by providing a more reliable and affordable energy supply.

The gas-to-energy initiative, a cornerstone of Guyana’s energy strategy, aims to harness the country’s abundant natural gas resources to generate electricity.
This project is expected to reduce energy costs by 50 per cent and improve the stability of power supply, addressing two major challenges faced by businesses in Guyana.

Gaskin-Peters specifically underscored the importance of the project for the manufacturing sector. “That gas-to-energy project [is] very crucial. Of course, it will help to reduce business costs. That’s important. Because in reducing our costs, we become more competitive.”

According to Dr. Gaskin-Peters, last year, the CLBD launched the ElevateAll programme specifically targetting the manufacturing sector in response to its evolving needs.
ElevateAll is a business development platform that facilitates the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises by offering customised workshops, gap analysis, mentoring, pitch creation, and a robust and encouraging peer-learning community.

ElevateAll matches a pool of expert mentors with participants based on their business background and focus.
“All of the programmes, [such as] health and safety, project management, and air quality management, [are] applicable across all sectors. While we focused on manufacturing, our initiatives benefit all industries,” said Dr Gaskin-Peters, as she outlined the programme.

These programmes, she emphasised, will equip businesses with the knowledge and strategies needed to thrive in a rapidly growing economy. She noted that the centre is actively monitoring the manufacturing sector to identify additional support opportunities.
Emphasising CLBD’s open-door policy, she encouraged businesses to seek its assistance.

Together with CNOOC and Hess, its co-venture partners on the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil is working with the Government of Guyana to advance the gas-to-energy project.
The gas-to-energy project will see a 200km 12-inch diameter pipeline channeling natural gas from the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels to a power plant Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility that will be built in Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

That pipeline will be landing on the West Coast Demerara (WCD) shore and continue approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL and power plant facilities.
It has an estimated total cost of US$1.8 billion and is cost recoverable. The power plant and NGL facilities will be funded by the government.

In December 2022, the government and US-based integrated energy solutions group – LINDSAYCA – in partnership with a local firm – CH4 Group – signed a US$759 million contract for the construction of the facilities.
The conversion of natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore operations to electricity is a key component of the government’s objective to lower energy costs by at least 50 per cent through an energy mix which incorporates gas, solar, wind, and hydropower.
As major groundwork continues for the project, it is expected to be up and running by the first half of 2025 and has a 25-year lifespan.