Some $5.8 billion have been allocated to the Power sector in this year’s national budget, with the administration placing emphasis on the development of renewable energy sources which according to the budget will provide viable alternatives to the costly import of fuel.

According to the budget, the allocated sum will make provision for the completion of ongoing works to the Canefield power station and the 69KV link between Skeldon and Number 53 Village on the Corentyne. The sum also caters for the commencement of works on the development and expansion of the 69KV transmission lines and associated substations, the interconnection of the Berbice Interconnected system (BIS), the Demerara Interconnected System (DIS) as well as the installation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

According to the budget, the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) will replace 15,000 main demand meters with minor meters, install 1,365 itron meters and replace 9,000 defective meters among other measures.

Included in plans for the sector this year is the provision of electricity to several areas including Chenapau, Yupukari, Sand Creek, Red Hill, Santa Aratak and Paruima using solar home systems, which will be to the benefit of 1,800 households and 12 schools.

As regards hydropower the budget stated that the administration continues to work on the Amaila Falls project. In late 2009, the budget stated, the developer presented a position to the administration where total capital costs would exceed US$600 million and expressed its willingness to fund all of the equity. Debt financing for the project is being actively pursued at both bilateral and multilateral levels and the project is expected to see the commencement of construction later this year, once financing is completed.

In this regard, some $4.1 billion have been allocated for the construction of a roadway and other infrastructure to improve access to the Amaila Falls area.