Latest update January 1st, 2025 1:00 AM
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Skeldon Sugar Factory problems… Another test-run begins today
An aerial view of the Skeldon Sugar Factory
The Skeldon Sugar Factory will be conducting another test-run today, as engineers seek to get the factory up and running.
Kaieteur News was told yesterday that, as Guyana considers its legal options, efforts were made to rectify the problems that plague the Skeldon Modernisation Plant.
Following today’s test-run, it will be determined whether engineers were indeed able to fix the problems at the factory.
Last week, Kaieteur News was told that the factory was back on schedule, as efforts were made to rectify the problems that were experienced during test-runs.
Andrew Jin, Site Representative of China National Technology Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC), had told Kaieteur News that re-commissioning (test-runs) will begin during the early part of October.
During that interview, Jin had said that there was much discussion with all stakeholders, but he insisted that the factory is ‘on track, and things are going according to schedule.’
On September 15 last, Jin told the media that the trial run showed that there were problems between the punt dumper and the conveyor belt, while, at the same time, difficulties were encountered with the shredder bearings.
‘Choking’, he had said, was occurring when fresh water was pumped into the diffuser. This same problem continued at the second and third evaporators.
Following the discovery of the problems, an assessment was done. Two days after, it was announced that the factory was indeed having technical difficulties. Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud says that Guyana is examining legal options and remedies which can be enforced against CNTIC.
The minister says that fines can be imposed under the contract signed between Guyana and the Chinese company, and that these fines could exceed US$5M.
Since the problems were discovered, CNTIC mobilized technical experts to bring the factory to a point of successful commission and full operation.
Following the official handover of the factory, there will be three further 72-hour tests during the next year.
The contractor will still be responsible for defects arising from those tests, despite the fact that the factory would be in commercial use right up to the end of next year.
The new factory is expected to produce 110,000 tonnes of sugar a year.
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