Power Failure seems to be a Chronic Problem in Guyana

Apr 03, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to electricity failure editorial on GPL.

Both governments have failed to address electricity problems and the poor leadership that have characterized the company. The public demands better but no government was or is listening.

As rightly pointed out, GPL contracted a company that supplied 17 used generators for US$27 million. I am informed the company is from Trinidad and the actual value of the used dysfunctional generators is less than nine million. New efficient generators were going for the same price as the used generators. The generators were not in use for an extended period and in disrepair. They were to be repaired and brought to Guyana to produce 1.5 MW of power each. None was working when they arrived in Guyana last October. GPL engineers managed to fix six. Each could produce only 1 MW of power, well short of the agreed 1.5 MW. One broke down afterwards. Only five are working. There is a shortfall of more than 12 MW to meet basic needs, resulting in rolling or sustained blackouts all over the country.

Engineers at GPL inform me that the same Trinidad company is proposing to supply four used generators from Brazil for US$40 million. The very four used generators from Brazil were last week going for only US$3 million as the engineers told me. That is a difference of $37M that goes into people’s pockets. Who are the beneficiaries? Clearly, the Trinidad company is milking GPL in partnership with individuals in Guyana. A high government official is pressuring engineers to approve the purchase of the US $3M generators for US $40M. That same high official pressured the engineers and GPL to approve the purchase of the 17 generators at triple the price. Now the four generators are being considered at thirteen times the actual value. Someone is benefiting from these deals. Who? Can the VP look into this? An investigation is needed in this scam. Meanwhile, the Trinidad company is scavenging around the region for used generators to pass on to Guyana through a partnership with a high official.

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