Amaila Falls Hydro Project is the way to go

Aug 08, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

I write to you today in regard to the Amalia Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), which the Government of Guyana is looking to revive. Over the years, I have paid close attention to the project and with its revival on the way, I write with much enthusiasm. I strongly believe that the AFHP is the way to go, and I commend the Government for looking in its direction once again.
With the advent of climate change, we can all agree that it is time for countries to do more so as to mitigate the effects, which it may have on the earth. One of the things that was taught to us in school is that countries should try to implement strategies that would help them to become carbon neutral to save the environment. However, we see many countries lacking in this regard. Nevertheless, Guyana is presented with a great opportunity where it can transform its electricity sector into becoming much closer to emission-free status. This opportunity is through the AFHP.
If memory serves me right, it was in 2016 when the Government of Guyana and the Government of Norway commissioned a study by Norconsult AS to carry out an initial analysis on the project. The study was objective and based solely on facts and the results reflected same. One of the things that the study concluded was the fact that the electricity sector in Guyana could be significantly changed for the better if its hydropower potential is developed. The fastest way for that potential to be developed was noted as the AFHP, which would see Guyanese benefitting in the long run. With this in mind, I believe that with Guyana being projected to grow significantly in the coming years due to its oil reserves, the AFHP would see even greater economic growth for the country. This would obviously propel Guyana further on the world stage, which would in turn, allow for more foreign direct investments and economic development. Our leaders appear to be focusing on the right direction by putting much needed emphasis on the hydropower project.
Coming back to the study by Norconsult, the findings also showed that the project would not have much negative environmental and social impacts. In fact, no resettlement will be required and there will be limited human activity in the area directly affected by the project. In addition to this, the live storage volume will be small compared to the annual water flow, and the plant will be operated mainly as a run-of-river plant with little impact on the downstream river hydrology for the most part. This would mean that the AFHP would not interfere with communities and citizens residing in and around the area. Once the project is completed, there would not be any negatives, as every Guyanese will benefit in some way from cheaper electricity.
It is time for Guyanese to embrace projects such as the AFHP and lend support in whatever way possible. I say this because we all want development, and we all want to live in a society where we are able to continually better our lives. The AFHP will give us that reality. In addition, the project will give way for other generating sources to be added in parallel like sun, wind and thermal production for renewable energy. From the way I see it, the AFHP has more advantages than disadvantages and I am sure the few disadvantages, which exist, can and will be dealt with by the Government before work commences. As such, I reiterate my call for Guyanese to lend support towards this project as the 2016 Norconsult study paints a very promising future for Guyana should we capitalise on the opportunity to transform our electricity sector.

Respectfully,
Anson A Paul

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