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Sithe Global still interested in Amaila Hydro Plant-Ramotar

Nov 09, 2013 News

Sithe Global is still very interested in pursuing the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant project, even though it “pulled out” of Guyana following a divide on the project in the National Assembly.
This disclosure was made by President Donald Ramotar, yesterday, during a press conference at the Office of the President.
He also divulged that Government has received additional expression of interests to develop a hydropower plant at Amaila Falls, Region Eight.
The President’s disclosure, while contradicting some Government pronouncements, did not come as a surprise since Sithe Global is still the holder of the licence to develop a Hydro-electric power station, reservoir, transmission to the coast.
Sithe Global bought the licence from Synergy Holdings Inc, which was granted an Original Interim Licence on July 29, 2002, almost 11 years ago.
The arrangement is to pay Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall, Office Manager of Synergy US$12M after financial closure of the project.
However, the company’s pursuit of the project was said to be dependent on all Parliamentary political parties unanimously approving the project.
In August, President of Sithe Global, Brian Kubeck, maintained that “a public-private partnership of this magnitude requires a national consensus in order for us to proceed further.”
While the Alliance For Change (AFC) supported Government on the project, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which holds 26 seats in the National Assembly, voted against Bills related to the Project.
Meanwhile Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, on Wednesday last said that Sithe Global’s possession of the licence is considered a leftover of an initiative that has not been conclusively terminated.
“Sithe Global still has the licence; it hasn’t been revoked. But, that is not by any means constitute any basis to say that a licence is being used and it is being used with the effect of executing a project is what currently exists,” he said.
Skeptics of the project felt vindicated about not supporting the US$858M project after the Amaila Falls ran dry in October.
The site was identified for the 165 MW plant.
Transport and Hydraulics Minister, Robeson Benn, in defending the location had said that it is not unusual for waterfalls used to provide hydroelectricity to run dry.
He pointed to similar power stations in Suriname and in Brazil.
He insisted that there would be a dam associated with the project and “the extent of dryness at this time would not have been as severe.”
While, Benn and other Cabinet members believe the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant Project is dead, Dr. Luncheon believes “hope beats eternal in human breasts”.
“But I will continue in the same light and say that hope beats eternal in human breasts. There is still a lingering hope that something would yet be done,” he said.

 

 

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