Even as two power plants were commissioned on Wakenaam Island yesterday, and the promise of 24-hour electricity floated, residents were asked not to get irritated if blackouts came once in a while.
And President Donald Ramotar, who along with Prime Minister Sam Hinds travelled to the island for the commissioning of the US$540,000 plants hinted at plans for solar energy in the future.
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) had earlier installed the two plants and residents benefited from undisturbed power on Christmas Day. A third plant is yet to be installed because it needs to be serviced.
GPL Chairman Winston Brassington urged the residents not to get irritated if blackouts came once in a while because the power company was still working under limitations. He complained that GPL has been suffering heavy losses on the island, which he pegged at 37%.
Brassington said this can be attributed to two things; residents were either stealing electricity or were not registered.
Residents who attended the small ceremony were urged to get registered, not to steal electricity and not to condone theft, as such activities are selfish and while benefiting one person can hamper progress.
Brassington also said that GPL has spent $23 billion on fuel this year, adding that the Amaila Falls project is a high priority for GPL and it will cut electricity rates.
The residents were encouraged to pay their bills and were told that there are plans to link Leguan and Wakenaam in the future via cables.
GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal said the two plants will suffice until the third is serviced as they have sufficient energy to power the entire island.
Dindyal said the project was on GPL’s agenda for a long time but had encountered a number of difficulties. He said there was a national shortage of wallaba poles and as a result the project had to be postponed. Getting the logs to the island also proved difficult and after meticulous planning they were transported via sturdy rafts.
Brassington also said that one reason the project took so long was because of the uncertainties the company faced. He said the constant back and forth in Parliament and the budget cuts had dampened the company’s plans.
Delivering the feature address, President Ramotar noted that the cost of electricity was indeed high, but said that this was because fuel prices fluctuate and can be difficult to predict.
He said that his government will continue to strive for renewable energy, which would be much cheaper.
The President said too that Guyana is a tropical country with year round sunlight. Noting that other countries where the sun only smiles have solar energy, he said this must change and he plans to do so.
Some of the benefits which he said would redound to the island as a result of the power plants being installed were job creation and the ability to diversify the island’s agricultural industry.
The President noted that the island, which is primarily a rice-farming community, has an abundance of fruits and vegetables that go to waste every year because of difficulties in preserving them. With stable power, refrigeration can now be employed.
Prime Minister Hinds said the power plants will cater to businesses that operate in the day, as well as students.
He noted the importance of rural children having the same benefits as urban children and expressed the hope that Information Technology labs in schools will utilise the electricity well.
But he cautioned: “I hope that the residents won’t spend two months watching television.” He said that with electricity comes choice and with choice comes responsibility.
Hinds said he hoped they use the electricity wisely because come month end some persons may be surprised at their electricity bills.
The plaque unveiled by Ramotar and Hinds at the commissioning said Tuesday, December 30 and it was explained by Chairperson of the proceedings Keane Mc Rae that there had been an unavoidable delay.
Wakenaam was previously powered by two caterpillar engines that were commissioned by Hinds in 1997.
