Kumu hydropower plant & hinterland development

The commissioning of the 1.5-megawatt (MW) Kumu Hydropower Plant in Region Nine marks a new chapter in Guyana’s energy journey, one that speaks to the power of strategic investment, environmental responsibility, and equitable development.
This facility, situated in Kumu Village near Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) is a signal of foresight, resilience, and a blueprint for how infrastructural advancement can be integrated seamlessly with sustainable development goals.
Constructed at a cost of US$9 million by the Sri Lankan firm Vidullanka PLC, the Kumu Hydropower Plant is a technical feat that has been delivered under challenging geographic and environmental conditions. Despite the rugged terrain and remote location, the successful completion of this project underscores the growing capacity and confidence in Guyana’s ability to execute complex, transformative infrastructure in hinterland regions. It is a tangible expression of what can be achieved when expertise, commitment, and policy direction align.
What sets this hydropower plant apart is its strategic relevance. Lethem and surrounding communities have historically grappled with inconsistent electricity supply, a limitation that has constrained both residential quality of life and commercial potential. With the region’s population expanding and housing schemes increasing, the demand for stable and sustainable energy has grown substantially. This project responds directly to that need and does so with a renewable, clean energy source that aligns with Guyana’s environmental commitments under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030).
The operationalization of this plant immediately elevates Region Nine’s total energy capacity to 5.2 MW, with Lethem’s peak demand currently standing at 2 MW. This means the region now has a critical energy buffer, one that allows for stability and also room for economic and social expansion. This is a foundation upon which future industries, education initiatives, and digital services can confidently build.
The technical design of the hydropower station itself further reinforces the innovative potential embedded in such projects. As outlined by the Head of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the facility leverages the natural topography to harness gravitational water flow, transforming it through turbines into a steady stream of electricity. This low-impact solution avoids the use of fossil fuels, minimizes environmental degradation, and exemplifies how green engineering can be responsibly adapted to local contexts.
Beyond the immediate benefits of energy access, the project also delivers employment opportunities within the host communities. As operations and maintenance roles are filled locally, a skills-based economy can begin to take root in these areas, supporting upward mobility and encouraging the return of youth and professionals to their hometowns. Moreover, with stable power, the introduction of new services, such as ICT hubs, vocational training, and agro-processing industries—becomes viable, opening up multidimensional development avenues.
Equally important is the integrated approach being adopted by the government. The Kumu Hydropower Plant, in tandem with the recently rehabilitated Moco Moco hydro facility, is part of a broader US$12.85 million initiative funded by the Islamic Development Bank. These projects form a key pillar of the LCDS 2030 framework, which envisions an inclusive energy transition that leaves no region behind. This alignment between international funding, national planning, and community implementation is essential for ensuring that development is both scalable and sustainable.
In a country where hinterland communities have long felt the weight of underinvestment, projects like the Kumu Hydropower Plant represent integration. Energy equity is no longer an abstract goal; it is becoming a lived reality in the farthest reaches of the country. And with reliable electricity, doors open: education becomes more accessible, small businesses can thrive, public services improve, and families gain the assurance that their lives are being powered with dignity and modernity.
The true value of the Kumu project, therefore, lies in its embodiment of a national commitment to uplift every region, every community.