…to be spent on GtE, expansion of electricity distribution network
…funds for housing development, hinterland roads, sea defence works also sought
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh
The Government of Guyana is seeking parliamentary approval for more than $57.4 billion in supplementary funds aimed at propelling several flagship development projects, including the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) initiative, electricity distribution network upgrades, expanded housing infrastructure, and national resilience projects, such as sea and river defence works.
During Friday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Dr Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, presented Financial Paper No. 1 of 2025. The Supplementary Appropriation Bill outlines additional allocations to sustain the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s expansive 2025 development agenda.
The largest single component of the supplementary request amounts to $29.5 billion, and once approved, will go toward expanding and upgrading electricity distribution networks under the Office of the Prime Minister, with $28.7 billion set aside for grid upgrades as part of the GtE Project, and $737 million to extend electricity to unserved communities.
Already, significant progress has been made on the project, which consists of the construction of 225 kilometres (km) of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.
It features approximately 200 km of a subsea pipeline offshore that would run from Liza Destiny and Liza Unity Floating, Production, Storage, And Offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 km to the Liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
According to Dr Singh: “Government’s electricity programme under the energy sector has been addressing longstanding issues of electricity reliability, affordability, and access, as well as service to new areas through the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and those in the hinterland. The Government has also been placing heavy focus on enhancing the nation’s energy infrastructure and accelerating a transition to more sustainable power sources.”
“The ambitious Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project, which is set to revolutionise the country’s energy landscape, has also been advancing. In addition, previously unserved areas such as New Forest in Region Six, and many other areas, now receive electricity for the first time, while the Government has provided solar panels to a large number of hinterland communities that are not in close proximity to the national grid.”
These upgrades include support to GPL and new electrification in previously unconnected areas like New Forest, along with solar panel distribution to hinterland communities outside the reach of the national grid.
Additionally, the sum of $12 billion is being sought for the Ministry of Housing and Water to support the continuation of Government’s large-scale housing development programme.
According to the Financial Paper No. 1 of 2025, the $12 billion will play a pivotal role to distribute 50,000 house lots by the end of 2025, specifically as it relates to infrastructural development and buildings.
Meanwhile, in the area of public works, $4.9 billion has been earmarked for road upgrades and construction across the country to improve transportation and connectivity. Specifically, $1.5 billion is being sought for the construction of hinterland roads, $1.4 billion for farm access roads and $2 billion for sea and river defence.
