Emissions associated with electricity generation are set to be slashed 35% with the addition of gas-fired power to Guyana’s grid, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
“The energy transition in Guyana is already taking place because if we move from producing all of our power through burning fossil fuel and diesel to now using gas, we can cut our emissions by 35% immediately… that is part of the transition,” he said during a September 12 press conference.
Jagdeo discussed the country’s energy transition, which involves the Gas-to-Energy project and stalled plans for the government’s largest renewable energy project—Amaila Falls Hydropower. While Gas-to-Energy is targeting 300 megawatts (MW) of new capacity, the government envisions Amaila to add 165 MW. The former is set to achieve first gas in 2025. However, Amaila, initially planned for a 2027 start-up, has no new timeline. Jagdeo said he would not commit as yet to a timeline, but maintained the relevance of the project to the administration’s plans.
Talks fell apart between the government and its last contractor two years ago because they could not agree on a financial model for the project. The government sought a new round of bidders earlier this year, raking in four proposals, one of which was from the same contractor it hired for the Gas-to-Energy project, Lindsayca-CH4. Jagdeo explained that the government will have to either engage the best of those or cast a net for fresh bids.
While the government has allowed other projects to capture its focus over the last several months, Jagdeo said Amaila is still crucial “for us to achieve the energy mix that we said we want for Guyana.”
The solar transition has been advancing with contracts awarded, Jagdeo said, for over 30 MW of new power generation capacity. This refers to several solar farms the government is pursuing with funds it received from Norway for conserving its forests.
The government also rolled out its project for the distribution of 30,000 150-watt solar photovoltaic units (PV) to hinterland homes and buildings and awarded a contract for two small hydropower projects in Region Eight.
These smaller projects will add incremental capacity over the years. Gas-to-Energy and Amaila would be the most substantial additions.
During a recent forum, Guyana President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said Guyana’s transition plan is one of the most ambitious plans in the world.
