The Opposition People’s National Congress Reform today called on the Government to come clean about short term plans for the multi-billion-dollar gas to energy power plant, which is currently under construction at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

There were concerns from the Opposition and Civil Society a few months ago about soil deficiencies at the construction site of the project.

During a press conference this morning, PNC/R Chairman questioned whether the area is suitable for industrial development, especially as it regards manufacturing plants with heavy equipment.

A 2017 Study had identified, Clonbrook on the East Coast of Demerara as the best location for bringing gas to shore, But the government chose Wales instead.

In addition to the feasibility concerns, the PNC/R is contending that it will cost Guyanese way more money to land the pipeline at Wales than Clonbrook. 

“One thing to note is that the pipeline because of the Wales site is not ideal, the pipeline would have to be longer and therefore it will have to be more costly. Some estimates put it between US$100-120M. So, moving this pipeline from what the feasibility study identity as the best site to the Wales site, have come with a series of complications,” PNC/R Treasurer Elson Lowe said.

Recently the US-based company executing the project announced that it is currently in the process of remedying soil deficiencies.

“Updates from the Gas-to-Energy Project Soil remediation is in progress for Guyana’s 300MW combined cycle power plant. A future of sustainable and efficient energy is on the horizon,” LINDSAYCA said.

But the PNC/R is of the view that the government is not coming clean about the possible non-suitability for the power plant at Wales.

The Government has previously stated that an assessment of the soil for all available sites was done, and that Wales was a good choice.

The Government also stressed that the site was also advantageous because there is land available in the area for an industrial park. “It now appears that to develop such a park all that land will need some degree of costly soil remediation”, the PNC noted.

In addition, the PNCR said the government must provide Guyanese with a truthful, realistic timeline for the project and must provide regular updates about cost and other issues relating to the project.

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