GTE project: Pouring of concrete for 1st gas turbine foundation to begin today

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday announced that the pouring of concrete for the foundation of the first gas turbine at the Gas to Energy (GTE) Project in Wales West Bank Demerara (WBD) will take place tonight. The pouring is expected to be completed over the next 30 days. This is according to a post on the President’s official social media page. The President was informed of this development after a meeting with Head of the GTE Task Force, Winston Brassington, on Monday morning. “President Irfaan Ali… received comprehensive updates on several components of the GTE project. On Phase I, which covers the 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle plant and the NGL (natural gas liquids) facilities being executed by Lindsayca Guyana Inc., the President was informed that the pouring of the first gas turbine foundation will take place on Tuesday night, September 9,” the post outlined. This meeting was among the President’s first activities as he began his second term in office after being sworn in as Guyana’s 9th Executive President on Sunday. According to the post the GTE Project has been generating significant employment over the past few years, with even more hires expected in the new few days. “Over 300 persons are currently employed on the project. Within the next 30 days, an additional 100 staff will be engaged and the concrete pouring of the remaining turbine foundations will be completed.”
On Phase II, which envisions a second 300-MW power plant and NGL facility, President Ali was updated that seven submissions have been received and discussions are underway to finalise the pre-qualified firms before moving immediately to engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and financing arrangements. “The President was also briefed on the Wales Industrial Zone, where an updated map outlining existing and proposed energy infrastructure has been prepared, with land designated for a data centre, ammonia/urea plant, and glass factory. Additionally, in relation to the 20 MCFD (million cubic feet per day) of gas to be allocated for a fertiliser plant capable of producing 300 TPY (tonnes per year) of urea, it was agreed that discussions will be advanced with both international and local firms that have expressed interest,” the post said.
A flagship project of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government, the GTE was conceptualised to reduce electricity costs in Guyana, while extracting increased benefits from Guyana’s oil and gas sector by utilising natural gas from the Stabroek Block, which is being managed by Exxon Mobil and co-venturers Chevron and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The project involves a 250-kilometre (km) high-pressure pipeline built by ExxonMobil starting a mile deep in the ocean; a 300- MW combined cycle power plant and NGL plant, under construction by Lindsayca, and for the first time, 230-kilovolt (KV) transmission lines (and new 69KV transmission lines), with substations, and a state-of-the-art Control Center to dispatch the power. A first-of-its-kind in Guyana, the project integrates modular gas processing technologies for faster deployment, combined-cycle generation for high efficiency and reduced emissions and infrastructure tailored to Guyana’s tropical environment. The project is being partially funded through a loan from the United States (US EXIM Bank). Earlier this year the project was the recipient of the Bank’s Deal of the Year Award.
In November 2022, LNDCH4 was awarded the US$759 million contract to build the 300-MW Combined Cycle Power Plant and a NGL facility at Wales, WBD – key components of the GTE Project. Two state-of-the-art gas turbines for the project arrived in Guyana from Sweden in October of last year. A further two state-of-the-art steam turbines and two oil tanks arrived in the country later that December. The turbines are being stored at a warehouse until they are ready to be installed.
Upon completion, the project is expected to substantially lower electricity generation costs, which have significant benefits for the Guyanese economy, fostering more competitive production costs and stimulating broader economic growth. ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has already finished constructing the gas pipeline, and the transmission lines and substations required for integration of the project are significantly advanced, with completion anticipated later this year.