Gov’t to construct hydro systems in Moco Moco, Kato and Tumatumari

Aug 24, 2015 News

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With the use of renewable energy sources being sought by governing bodies across the world, the government of Guyana is pushing for the construction of small hydro systems in at least three hinterland locations.
This disclosure was made by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson during an address to a gathering of engineers, technicians, students and representatives from various mechanical companies and organisations at a one-day hydropower-based seminar held recently.
The Minister announced that the Government will see to the construction of small hydro systems in areas such as Moco Moco, Kato and Tumatumari.
The government’s vision, he revealed, is to have new townships being powered by alternative energy sources, starting with Bartica.
Minister Patterson told the gathering that feasibility studies for a large hydropower development in the Mazaruni Region will be pursued with collaboration from the Government of Brazil.
After being approved in the National Assembly earlier last year, a Brazilian consortium undertook a pre-feasibility study to determine the potential of hydropower in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni.
The feasibility studies are intended to identify the social, environmental and economic impacts of a hydropower plant in the areas.

The study began in April, last year and was slated to last a year. A former government official had stated that the hydropower station in Upper Mazaruni would have an installed capacity of 3,000 megawatts and the other in Middle Mazaruni would have an installed capacity of 1,500 megawatts.
On Friday, Patterson expressed “Over the next five years, Guyana will continue to examine all sources of energy—fossil fuels, wind, solar, baggasse and of course, hydropower. Guyana will also construct and promote the construction of small hydro systems at suitable locations across the country.”
He added that independent power producers and suppliers will be encouraged to construct energy farms and sell energy to the national grid.
Patterson said that Guyana’s current energy policy seeks to ensure that stable, reliable and affordable energy is provided to all persons in Guyana within an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable framework.
While Guyana is highly dependent on petroleum fuel imports to meet about 80% of its energy needs, the Minister noted that Guyana’s vast natural resource base provides the country with significant options for the development of renewable energy sources.
The Minister expressed that the country’s energy policy, recognizing the importance of clean, reliable, sustainable and affordable energy for development and the improved welfare of its people, is focused on developing and utilizing its own energy sources, improving efficiencies and energy conservation.
He added that for supplying Hinterland communities, the government is interested in piloting small scale fermentation and distillation techniques for the production of ethanol and biodiesel.
“Options for interconnecting renewable energy generators to the grid will be reviewed and explored towards the implementation of grid-tied systems and net-metering platform. Once proven beneficial to all parties, grid-tie options can be encouraged as a means of reducing investment in fossil-based generators and meeting incremental demand from renewable energy sources,” he said.
The Minister highlighted that energy efficient and renewable energy cook stoves have been demonstrated to provide sustainable energy solutions where appropriate, and the agencies will work closely with small farmers to encourage the use of small bio-digesters to reduce waste and produce biogas.
The gathering heard too that legislation has been amended to remove import duty and tax barriers for the importation of renewable energy equipment, compact fluorescent lamps and LED lamps to incentivize and motivate energy efficient behaviour.
According to Patterson, Guyana will continue to conduct energy assessments and audits and replace inefficient lighting at public, school, residential and commercial buildings with the objective of reducing energy consumption and attaining higher levels of energy efficiency.
He said that public education and awareness programmes will continue to play a major role in providing consumers with information and tools for reducing energy consumption and expenditure for energy.
The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), with support from Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance (REETA), on Friday engaged participants in a Seminar titled: “Applied Engineering for Small Hydropower Projects- Practical Tips for Hydropower Practitioners”.
The session was facilitated by Hydropower Specialist, Sven Homscheid.
He educated attendees on field measurements for topographic survey of mini and smaller hydro projects: simplistic techniques and state of the art technology; different turbine types, their technical qualities and field of usage; environmental and social considerations of hydropower projects, hydropower civil design options: differences, advantages and disadvantages, optimizing hydropower projects: the difference between grid integrated and island supply.

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