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Local stakeholders ask critical questions about Guyana’s energy mix at Moray House event

Oct 08, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

I would like to congratulate Ms. Isabelle DeCaires and the Moray House Trust for recently hosting a very informative panel discussion on “Shifting Power: Guyana’s Energy Mix” (video available on YouTube). Presenters included Dr. Simone Mangal-Joly who gave an overview, Mr. Alfred Bhulai (focusing on solar/wind), former Minister David Patterson, MP (focusing on the gas-to-shore project) and Maurice Veecock (focusing on Amaila Falls/hydropower). The broad questions included: What will it cost? Who will benefit? What experiences are we drawing fromit? How long will it last? What is the wider context?
Dr. Mangal-Joly focused on what is the best energy mix for Guyana, what factors must be considered, and who should be involved in deciding and why? She said all stakeholders are not all being involved. Mr. Bhulai’s presentation concluded that comparing costs of energy provided by GPL, and the proposed costs of Amaila Falls Hydro, Offshore gas, and solar power, that solar is overwhelmingly the cheapest alternative.
Participants posed some very perceptive questions to the panelists including:
-Can Mr. Patterson say why his Government chose the Mahaica site as a better place for the gas-to-shore project, while the current Government has chosen the Wales site, although the current Government said they used the previous studies to decide on locating the project at Wales?
-Can Mr. Patterson say what accounts for the difference in the cost of the gas to solar energy project proposed by the past and present Government?
-Do all of you agree solar should be the way to go, of all the options available?
-Are there alternative sites for a hydropower station in Guyana? It seems to me a dam closer to the major areas of consumption would make more sense.
-There was a picture showing a “dry” Amaila Falls where the water had stopped flowing. Will this not affect the viability of the hydro project?
-Production Sharing Agreement 2016 and Environmental Impact Assessment 2017 concur that associated gas should be re-injected, that is why Liza-1 has three gas and six water injection wells. Where will gas for the pipeline be obtained?
-ExxonMobil 12-inch gas pipes 200 km laid across mud banks moving east to west at 1000-1300 metres per year. Pipeline would not be anchored to fixed foundations. Exxon does not seem to have considered that moving mud will break this pipe.
-Can the panelists weigh in please on projected rainfall for the next five, 10, 15 and 20 years in Guyana and how these projections may impact on the viability of investments in hydropower?
-Can you also speak to the projected availability of sufficient sunshine to ensure that there is enough solar power generation for daytime usage and storage for night-time usage.
-Instead of burying garbage in landfills, is the Ali government considering using waste and garbage incineration (alternatively) as a source of energy?
-When will the national energy strategy be updated by the Guyana Energy Agency? The current version expired in 2020.
One participant said, “The Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN) would like to commend Moray House for hosting this forum. It is important to consult with folks who have ideas for our energy mix. There is nothing to lose and the nation gains. Much learning from this webinar.”

Sincerely,
Dr. Jerry Jailall

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