“None of My Business? A High Voltage Response “

Oct 23, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

The two-year, US$15.6 million contract between Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Dominican Republic-based InterEnergy Group (IEG) has ignited controversy across Guyana and the wider Caribbean. The deal, which was awarded without open tendering, has drawn sharp criticism over its legality, transparency, and potential conflicts of interest.

InterEnergy’s chairman, Rolando González Bunster, recently dismissed concerns about the legality of the deal as “none of my business,” following reports highlighting possible government complicity and opaque procedures.

The Contract: Terms and Purpose

The agreement, signed in October 2025, mandates InterEnergy to provide supervisory engineering and project management consultancy services for the modernization of Guyana’s power grid. It aims to integrate smart grid systems, enhance reliability, and support the transition to more efficient electricity distribution . According to government accounts, InterEnergy will:

• Oversee infrastructure projects tied to the Wales Gas-to-Energy initiative.
• Audit power generation assets for efficiency and reliability.
• Train GPL staff and recommend operational improvements.
• Lead grid modernization and smart-technology integration.
• The government insists the contract followed “a rigorous negotiation process,” highlighting its long-term benefits for infrastructure resilience.

The Controversy: No-Bid Approval and Conflicts

Critics argue that the government bypassed competitive bidding protocols when it granted InterEnergy sole-source approval. Records indicate that a Canadian firm, Method4, had been initially awarded the contract before being abruptly dropped in mid-2025. Cabinet’s no-objection to InterEnergy’s engagement, granted on July 17, 2025, opened the door to accusations of backroom dealing and favoritism.

Opposition parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul labeled the process “a betrayal of public trust,” citing conflicting government statements about which firm truly held the contract. Opposition leaders have since demanded full disclosure of Cabinet papers and national tender documents, calling the transaction “a flagrant breach of procurement laws.”

Alleged Government Complicity

The role of key officials raises further questions. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo publicly defended InterEnergy as the “most cost-effective choice,” despite earlier indications that the procurement board favoured Method4. The shifting narrative between the Prime Minister and Vice President underscores internal inconsistencies. Critics point to the Dominican Republic’s close diplomatic ties with Guyana—bolstered by three visits from President Luis Abinader in the past two years—as evidence of potential political undercurrents behind the contract.

Comparison with InterEnergy’s Regional Dealings

InterEnergy operates across Latin America and the Caribbean, managing a portfolio exceeding 2.4 GW of energy projects. In Jamaica, the company acquired and manages renewable energy assets, including the 36.3 MW BMR Wind Farm, under long-term, transparent power purchase agreements. In Panama and Uruguay, it has pursued clean energy transitions via open, regulated frameworks.

By contrast, the Guyana deal is criticized as opaque, lacking publicly available tender documents, and conducted in secrecy—contrary to the firm’s more transparent practices elsewhere.

Ramifications and Risks

1.Governance Credibility: The apparent secrecy and conflicting official explanations erode confidence in Guyana’s procurement transparency and governance mechanisms.

2.Legal Exposure: If due diligence was not observed, both GPL and InterEnergy could face legal scrutiny for procedural violations.

3.Economic Risks: The $15.6 million cost, funded by public revenue, could balloon if project deliverables are delayed or inflated.

4.Reputational Damage: InterEnergy’s reputation, built on clean-energy leadership, risks being tarnished by association with politically charged deals.

Conclusion

The GPL–InterEnergy contract epitomizes the tension between developmental ambition and political opacity. While the project promises to bring smart grid technology to Guyana’s aging infrastructure, its clouded origins and dismissive attitude toward legality raise red flags about systemic accountability. Whether this deal delivers progress or deepens public distrust depends on whether transparency can—finally—find its way back into the grid.

Sincerely,
Hemdutt Kumar

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• GPL, Hemdutt Kumar, InterEnergy, Letters

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