Guyana last weekend inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Import-Export Bank of China which would see that institution giving financial support for further modernization of this country’s power sector, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday.
This MoU precedes the signing of a framework agreement which will enable the Guyana government to access a Chinese government concessional loan of approximately US$40 million to finance the development and expansion of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) transmission and distribution system.
The impact of this project, according to GINA, is to provide a more reliable and affordable electricity supply while improving the livelihood of the population and enabling local industry to be more competitive.
President Bharrat Jagdeo last weekend during his current visit to China held a meeting with Li Ruogu, Governor of the Import-Export Bank (Exim-Bank) of China and updated the Governor on recent economic developments here and the main challenges to be overcome.
Also participating in the meeting was Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh who signed the MoU with the Governor of the bank for further modernisation of the GPL.
Under the MOU that was signed, GINA stated, the Government of Guyana and China’s Exim-Bank undertook to advance and conclude discussions on the power sector project. Upon approval of this proposed project, GPL will develop and expand its transmission and distribution system with the construction of 110 km of single circuit 69 KV overhead transmission lines, and approximately 1.8 km of 69 kV submarine cable; seven new 69/13.8 KV sub-stations; the expansion and upgrading of two existing 69/13.8 KV sub-stations; and installation of a fibre optic network and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for tele-metering and protection.
The transmission lines and sub-stations will serve to integrate all major load centres along the coast to permit centralised generation using cheaper heavy fuel oil fired sources, and also facilitate efficient distribution of bulk power in the future.
GINA further stated that the ongoing discussions on this proposed loan are a direct result of the Win-Win Cooperation Facility announced in September 2007 at the Opening Ceremony of the Second China-Caribbean Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum by Chinese Vice Premier Madame Wu Yi.
The Vice Premier had announced China’s intention to provide a RMB 4 Billion concessional loan facility to the Caribbean region for the next three years. It was envisaged that this facility would encourage Chinese companies to invest in Caribbean countries and to promote investment in areas such as infrastructure, resource development, industrial and agricultural production, forestry, tourism and telecommunications.
This agreement follows closely the design and supply of the co-generation plant under the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation agreement which was signed on January 25, 2005 between President of the Export-Import Bank of China and former Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar.
A very needed project.This will go a long way in helping to modernise the transmission and distribution capability of the GPL reducing the power loss.I am happy the system will be monitored and controlled by SCADA with is standard in the modern world.This will make it efficient.
Also since this is a new development taking place Guyana should take advantage of Broadband over power lines (BPL) an effective way to make internet available.Since power lines are ubiquitous a power line carrier system can transmit high speed data and help reduce the cost of developing new infrastucutre.We need better access to the internet in Guyana and make it cheap for everyone.
We cant wait on GTT and a few other small ISPs to propell Guyana into the high speed infromation age.
Re: “Also since this is a new development taking place Guyana should take advantage of Broadband over power lines (BPL) an effective way to make internet available.Since power lines are ubiquitous a power line carrier system can transmit high speed data and help reduce the cost of developing new infrastructure. We need better access to the internet in Guyana and make it cheap for everyone”. I wrote something to this effect a few years ago and think it even got published… It was around the time when the Inter-American Development Bank turned down a Guyana Government financing proposal for an nation wide internet project in Guyana.
Good luck to you “vijay deo” if those folks down there in Guyana even understand what is it that you are talking about!
To the Chinese; please monitior this money carefully. Remember in Guyana a lot of loan and granrt money is lost to corruption.
Cup in hand Jagdeo running around the world begging …billions and billions was already spent /disbursed or ” CORRUPTLY LOST” on GPL and still there is no reliable electricity . Guyana is a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) and still keeps borrowing and hoping for debt forgiveness.
Re: “Cup in hand Jagdeo running around the world begging …billions and billions was already spent /disbursed or ” CORRUPTLY LOST” on GPL and still there is no reliable electricity . “Caste” has (not) passed for “grass” Huh!
I know it must have escaped the attention of the Guyana government and the Guyanese people, so let me remind them. During the period 1949-1951, China began and carried out its invasion and illegal annexation of the independent nation of Tibet. During the years that followed, The Red Army repressed, with savage brutality, the just resistance of a nation fighting for their inalienable right to be free from the domination of an invader. Of course, in pursuit of its irredentist ambitions, China instigated the historical fiction that Tibet had always been a part of China; and all it was doing was reuniting itself with a fragmented part of itself. And Tibet continues to live under the repressive heel of China. To present itself as a nation of “peace”, China is spreading its money around, negotiating irrestible trade deals, and promising to deliver economic prosperity to nations and leaders who are willing “to do business”. I think it is necessary for readers to know this background so that they can realistically assess the actions of thePeople’s Republic of China in Guyana and in the world.
How about the present, how about China support to the Sudanese government with military weapons to oppress the ppl of Darfur, be very careful who you dine with Guyana.
name any country who havent invaded another and give support to rebels.
Adelene Stephenson and DMACK are talking on issues of high morals and must be congratulated for their perceptive comments.
Trouble with the current matter is that money and politics are heavily intertwined and this normally excludes high morals from consideration.
So the Chinese will give a soft loans to Guyana…
to buy cheap shoddy Chinese equipment……
Bribes will be paid to various Chinese and Guyanese officials and …..
Tibet/Sudan/Burma etc., will be lucky if they are even spared a thought.
I agree with you Shocked, most of these loans end up in the pockets of these guys who cheat the system, please remember its a loan to help modernise the system and not to go in personal accounts, its money to help the system, and the citizens of Guyana. And as Mr. Deo says make use of the power lines, have broadband through these lines and make it affordable for most Guyanese, we are living in a mordern times lets not forget our people, can’t hang around on GTT.
I understand quite clearly why Jagdeo have to be running around ” with cup in hand ” ! don’t u ? if u just think abt the fact that the tax payers r paing back the $2 billion USD ,, some of them paying taxes now ,, don’t even know where or when that happened and how come they r burdened with this ! do u ?? was not the first
thing the “despicabale dictator” did when he got d’aguiar to join him in his “illegal govt ” after he made peter finance minister ! he sent him with not a cup but with a large rice bag ,, ! do u remember ? i bet u do but would not admit it ,,
Re: “thing the “despicable dictator” did when he got D’aguiar to join him in his “illegal govt ” after he made peter finance minister !” You are wrong again – “Michael Tannassee”. Following the general elections in Guyana in 1964 (preceded by the 80-day old strike, Black Friday….) a legitimate Government was formed between the People’s National Congress and the United Force (UF) (after this what exactly happened in Guyana is anyone’s guess) Why is Stabroek News (SN) allowing you to post your crap.
Re: “Because they allow you to do the same….” But, the fact of the matter is In as much as the the “internet” guarantees free speech… it aught not to be be used to publish mis-information. And, since history always holds the truth – why try to change it – Huh? Besides, “(M)ichael (T)annassee” reminds about a certain Venezuelan lawyer who, from reports asked for a letter “not” be opened until he was “dead”; and, in that letter he stated that there was a collusion between the “Russian backed British representatives and those of the United States of America in relation to the legal settlement settlement of the Guyana/Venezuela international boundary. I am quite others reading this (if not you or “(M)ichael (T)annassee”) will get the drift. :-X
Corrections: re: “the legal settlement of the Guyana/Venezuela international boundary. I am quite (sure) others reading this (if not you or “(M)ichael (T)annassee”) will get the drift. :-X” instead of “the legal settlement settlement of the Guyana/Venezuela international boundary. I am quite others reading this (if not you or “(M)ichael (T)annassee”) will get the drift. :-X”. Thanks. ;-)
Em, em, em!! Soft loans.
Thats the BAIT, to Harness and keep Dumping, their Low , Quality, uncontrolled and Without Consumer Protection goods,,,,, on the Guyanese markets.
The Chinese government never gives Something for Nothing………….
……you know how some of our people act….the chinese have study the need of developing countries……use your eyes and you will see who and who the help………they help thecountries flat on there face……guyana is one…….a begging country…….they would choose to beg a loan from china than to take a flush toilet from of guyanese……guyanese in the diaspora becareful ……we may want to help fight poverty in guyana……but same impoverish may want to kill you…….because the best thing is china……china milk,!!……..china bauxit……china sugar….china power……
Re: “The transmission lines and sub-stations will serve to integrate all major load centres along the coast to permit centralised generation using cheaper heavy fuel oil fired sources, and also facilitate efficient distribution of bulk power in the future…” Is there justification for this utilities upgrade based on power “generation using cheaper heavy fuel oil fired sources” against the background of recently announced plans by a U.S.A-based company for the completion of an Hydro-Electric Project in Guyana in a few years time?
My thoughts exactly!! New power lines, substations… blah, blah, blah…. Where or what will generate the power to put these lines to use?
Will the cables end up in the scrap dealers yards? Heavy fuel oil fired sources my foot! I hope all involved from Guyana’s side understand the cost of maintaining such equipment.
I say Hydro power is the way forward for Guyana.
With this Global Warming thing, I don’t think is wise to have cheaper heavy fuel oil fired sources. Is it clean for the atmosphere? The USA talk about helping China with its dirty coals burning technology pertaining to Global Warming.
No doubt Guyana needs affordable electricity supply to improve the livelihood of the population and enable local industries to be more competitive, but at the same time we have to think logical. In fact, I will back the Hydro-Electric Project that will start in a few months from now, that is a good investment.
As an emerging Super Power,China is now spreading it’s wings in this region, much to the annoyance of the good old USA.
Make no mistake about it, for every dollar invested China will make a few in return (check what’s going on in Africa).
Nevertheless, providing that Caribbean countries assemble good negotiating teams, which serves the interest of the people, I think this could turn out as a win win for us.
With regard to GPL , this is a much needed investment for us, but I am wondering how much of this US$40 M would end up in the pockets of corrupt officials. Are there any checks and balances in place?
Re: “With regard to GPL , this is a much needed investment for us, but I am wondering how much of this US$40 M would end up in the pockets of corrupt officials. Are there any checks and balances in place?” How can this be good for a country like Guyana to be relying on imported fossil fuel to power the electricity generating facilities when there is almost year-round sunshine to provide solar energy, high winds to drive wind mills, bagasse, rice husk, wood waste and saw dust from the saw mills, garbage etc to provide power generation; in addition to ethanol production plants, ammonia absorption and hundreds of hydro-electric sites that can be found in Guyana’s hinterland. – What’s up with with this coastal mentality. One Tidal (Tsuname) Wave and its all gone lake! You remind of people that were warned to remove from the path of a recent hurricane here in the USA (but some chose to remain) and now from recent article about 300 of them cannot now be heard from. 8-)
Re: “What’s up with with this coastal (Coastal Living) mentality. One Tidal (Tsuname) Wave and its all gone lake! You remind of people that were warned to remove from the path of a recent hurricane here in the USA (but some chose to remain) and now from recent article about 300 of them cannot now be heard from. 8-) “. How many times (because of the global warming threats…) have one not read in Stabroek News for Guyanese living on Guyana’s coastline (and facing threat from the Atlantic Ocean) should seriously consider moving inland.
Ya all pray to the man above that some of these (earthquake, followed by tsuname wave) predictions become realities. :-X
Oops! Sorry: “Ya all pray to the man above that some of these (earthquake, followed by tsuname wave) predictions (do not) become realities. :-X” instead of “Ya all pray to the man above that some of these (earthquake, followed by tsuname wave) predictions become realities. :-X”
Kaieteur Gold, your link to those historical SELLOUTS did nothing for me.
Hi “gtbeat”, How about if things are kept “topical”?
We just had a grand opening celebration of the skeldon plant, now we’re hearing lot’s of excuses about it’s inability to produce. What happened?
Let’s hope this is not another pork project to line the cups of those in power?