Wartsila’s high rate was factor in shift to local power plant management

By Stabroek News On In Guyana News |
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (fifth from left), and Minister within the Ministry, Annette Ferguson (seventh from left), with the new board members of the Power Producer & Distributors Inc. From left to right are, Harryram Parmesar; Stephen Fraser; CEO, Arron Fraser; Chairman, Mark Bender; Verlyn Klass; Amanza Walton-Desir; MPI Permanent Secretary, Geoffrey Vaughn; and Secretary, Ronald Burch-Smith.
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (fifth from left), and Minister within the Ministry, Annette Ferguson (seventh from left), with the new board members of the Power Producer & Distributors Inc. From left to right are, Harryram Parmesar; Stephen Fraser; CEO, Arron Fraser; Chairman, Mark Bender; Verlyn Klass; Amanza Walton-Desir; MPI Permanent Secretary, Geoffrey Vaughn; and Secretary, Ronald Burch-Smith.

“Exorbitant” rates and the fact that Guyanese were already in charge were key reasons behind the government’s decision to end its arrangement with Finnish firm Wartsila for the management GPL power plants.

This was disclosed yesterday by Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson as he delivered the charge to the board of Power Producers & Distributors Inc (PP&DI) which will now be responsible for the  management of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) installations.

A press release from MPI said that the savings from the switch from Wartsila to PP&DI is