THE government’s decision to implement a 24/7 work schedule at the Wales Gas-to-Energy project marks not only a new stage in construction but a clear declaration of intent, that Guyana’s energy future will not be delayed.

The round-the-clock operations now underway at Wales signal the administration’s determination to deliver on one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in the nation’s history.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s recent site visit coincided with the completion of the final concrete pour for the fourth turbine foundation, a milestone that brings the 300-megawatt power plant closer to reality.

With all four turbines expected to be laid by year’s end and the majority of equipment arriving by January, the project is moving from the foundation phase into tangible progress that will soon reshape Guyana’s energy landscape.

What makes this development remarkable is not only the pace but the purpose driving it. Energy remains the lifeblood of industrial growth, and Guyana’s current electricity challenges have long stood in the way of true modernisation.

The Wales project represents a decisive shift, from dependence and uncertainty to stability and expansion.

When completed, it will provide low-cost, reliable power to homes, businesses, and emerging industries, creating the backbone for a diversified, resilient economy.

President Ali’s remarks at the site underscored this vision. By doubling manpower and man-hours, and leveraging new infrastructure such as the recently opened Demerara River Bridge, the government and its partners are demonstrating the kind of strategic coordination that development on this scale demands.

The bridge, now accommodating full-weight transport across the river at any hour, has already accelerated productivity, proof of how interconnected national projects can multiply their impact when executed with foresight.

Behind the concrete, steel, and turbines lies a larger story: the creation of the Wales Development Zone, a 1,400-acre industrial hub designed to attract investment in manufacturing, agro-processing, fertiliser production, and data-driven enterprises.

It is here that Guyana’s energy transition will translate into jobs, innovation, and opportunity for generations to come.

Critics may question timelines or costs, but what is indisputable is that the momentum has shifted.

The project’s contractors — CH4/Lindsayca, Engineers India Limited, and the local coordination team led by Winston Brassington — are driving forward with renewed urgency.

With over 9,000 piles installed and 25,000 cubic metres of concrete required for the plant and substation foundations, the scale of work is monumental, but so too is its potential impact.

This is not just about electricity, it is about empowerment. Reliable energy will lower production costs, attract foreign investment, and make life more affordable for ordinary Guyanese.

It will allow our farmers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs to compete globally while anchoring Guyana’s rise as a modern energy economy.

The 24/7 operation at Wales is, therefore, more than an engineering milestone. It is a symbol of national resolve, a demonstration that Guyana is not waiting for the future to arrive but is building it, day and night.

As the turbines take shape and the lights of the construction site glow into the night sky, they reflect more than just work in progress.

They represent a country in motion, confident, determined, and united in its pursuit of sustainable prosperity.

Guyana’s energy dawn is breaking at Wales, and it will shine brightly across every home, factory, and community that stands to benefit from this historic transformation.