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GTE plant to miss full 300MW target until mid-2027
(Kaieteur News) – The Government’s much-touted Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project will not hit its full 300-megawatt capacity until mid-2027, despite repeated assurances that the plant will come online by the end of 2026. Speaking during a panel discussion at the Guyana Energy Conference, Natural Resources Ministry Consultant Winston Brassington disclosed that contractor Lindsayca will initially deliver only 228MW under a simple-cycle configuration, four gas turbines by yearend 2026. The full 300MW combined-cycle output will only materialise sometime in 2027. This timeline raises serious questions about the government’s promise to slash electricity costs by 50%. If the plant is not operating at full capacity, can consumers realistically expect full savings?
Consultant, Ministry of Natural Resources, Winston Brassington
Also on the panel were Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and CEO of the Guyana Power and Light Inc, Kesh Nandlall. In remarks, Brassington pointed out that while everyone has heard that the power plant will come online by yearend, the contractor has committed to delivering only 228MW until the entire project finalises.
“Everyone has heard we’re gonna have the power plant online by the end of the year. Our contractor, Lindsayca from the US, has promised us that they’re going to complete the 300-megawatt project, first on simple cycle by the end of this year, and simple cycle is essentially the four gas turbines, with a total installed capacity of about 228 megawatts. So that we expect to have online by the end of the year,” the Consultant explained. Also expected by the end of this year is the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility which will produce cooking gas to reduce the commodity price by 50%.
Meanwhile, Brassington noted, “Simple cycle for the power plant and the NGL plant, by the middle of next year, we’re gonna have the combined cycle fully completed. So all 300 megawatts will be completed. So that is what is being built right now.”
Upon completion of the 300MW project, government promised that the price of electricity would be slashed in half. It is unclear whether this is likely by the end of 2026 given that the plant will not be generating at full capacity.
Brassington reminded conference delegates that ExxonMobil, the operator of the Stabroek Block completed the pipeline component of the GTE project since the end of 2024. He said, “So this is a 12-inch pipeline, coming 250 kilometers from one mile deep in the ocean, where the Liza Field is and that’s coming on shore, and initially, out of a capacity of 120 million cubic feet of gas per day, initially, we will get 50 and then when we fill that pipeline in phase two, we’ll go to 120. That pipeline is done, waiting for the power plant project to come online.”
Phase Two GTE to start this year
Beyond Phase One of the GTE project, Brassington highlighted the progress being made on Phase Two, which will be constructed at the Wales Development Zone, West Bank Demerara. He noted that five firms have been prequalified and is expected to submit bids by the end of March.
The Consultant revealed that Phase Two of the project, will be split into three phases. “One is the Natural Gas Liquids plant, which will go right next to the existing one on the site. The second is what we call the balance of plant and then the second power plant will go right next to the existing one so we’re doubling from 300MW of combined cycle power with gas, to 600,” he said. Construction activities on Phase Two will commence this year according to him. He pointed out that the Wales Industrial Estate is situated on over 1,400 acres of land. With plans in place for an ammonia plant, glass factory and data centres, the Consultant flashed the opportunities still available for small industrial outfits.
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