Guyana will be a regional manufacturing hub after GtE is operational – Ramsaroop

– says many opportunities exist for manufacturing partnerships

Once Guyana’s energy costs are significantly reduced when the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project becomes operational, the country will become a manufacturing hub in the Caribbean region. These sentiments were expressed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Dr Peter Ramsaroop.
While addressing the Jamaica Do Business Forum that was held in Guyana last week at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Ramsaroop spoke of manufacturing opportunities in Guyana, as well as the potential for collaboration with Jamaican companies.
“I went on a cruise in December. There were 4000 persons on the ship, in the Caribbean [who] asked for coconut water. And it was coconut water from Malaysia. And that really should upset us in the region, when you think of all of these cruise liners, thousands and thousands of tourists on them. And we don’t own that market,” Ramsaroop said.
“When you think of our energy costs being cut by half, when the gas is onshore. We are going to be very competitive in the manufacturing sector. The next five years, Guyana will be known as the manufacturing hub of the region. I know we have the President of the Manufacturing Association here. And he’s also into lumber and other things, that he can guide you on.”
Ramsaroop admitted that when it comes to technology, particularly cybersecurity, a lot of private sector companies are behind on technology. This is even as the Government transforms its technological capacity.
“But the revolution of things changing. When you think of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and you came into the airport, you would have seen the difference already. In our automating. Digitisation across the board. Government services… we are looking for large partners.”
“A lot of our private sector companies are behind on the technology side, cybersecurity, a lot of areas. So don’t just look at work in the Government sector. There are significant opportunities in the private sector,” the Chief Investment Officer further said.
GtE Project
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s flagship GtE initiative is structured into five core components. These include: the construction of a pipeline from offshore oil and gas production sites to Wales; the development of a power plant and a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility; the installation of a transmission main to transport electricity generated at the plant; the establishment of a new national control centre at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and the upgrading of the national power grid. In November 2022, the United States (US)-based consortium LNDCH4 was awarded a US$759 million contract to construct a 300-megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Power Plant and the accompanying NGL facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD)—both considered critical elements of the broader GtE Project.
Upon completion, the project is expected to substantially lower electricity generation costs, which have significant implications 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.
It was just Friday that LNDCH4 Guyana announced the arrival of the Backup Battery Storage System (BESS), a critical part of the power plant’s emergency support system, that is engineered to ensure uninterrupted energy delivery in the event of turbine failure. The arrival of the BESS marked significant progress of the GtE Project, and highlights LNDCH4’s commitment to Guyana, the company had said in a press release. With a total capacity of 30-MW, the system was shipped in 22 containers, which comprise battery racks, six inverters, auxiliary transformers, and a fully integrated Power Distribution Centre (PDC) shelter.
The project also includes the installation of an Energy Management System (EMS), a Battery Management System (BMS), an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), a fire suppression system, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units. These components are designed to ensure optimal operational performance and safety under all environmental and technical conditions.
Designed to respond instantaneously, the BESS provides critical backup power to protect the integrity of the electrical grid and maintain operational stability in unexpected scenarios.