PPDI looking to enhance power generation at Garden of Eden plant

– mulls replacing some 16 radiators

The Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI) is embarking on an overhaul of some of its systems at Garden of Eden used to generate power, including the replacement of as many as 16 radiators.
PPDI has the crucial task of managing the generators that provide power to the Guyana Power and Light interconnected grid. According to a tender that was sent out by PPDI, they are looking to overhaul parts of their Garden of Eden power plant on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).
According to the scope of work, the contractor will have to replace 16 radiators. The contract also involves extensive infrastructural work. This includes excavating the area to extend it, clearing the area for civil works, and installing new catwalks. Electrical and mechanical engineering works will also have to be done at the location.
The document states that electrical work will have to “disconnect all electrical components and cables. Supply and install new terminal boxes. Supply and install cables from terminal boxes to radiator fan motors. Extend cable ladders.”
When it comes to the mechanical works, the contractor will “Assemble new radiators. Supply and install pipelines for integrated washing system. Disconnect all HT and LT pipelines. Remove old radiators and anchor new radiators. Extend HT and LT pipelines to fit new radiators. Reconnect all HT and LT pipelines.”
Power Producers and Distribution Incorporated is a state-owned company that took over where Wärtsilä left off when the Finnish company exited the market. The company operates and maintains four power plants on behalf of GPL.
GPL currently generates over 200 megawatts of power, with the recent addition of the Turkish power ship at Everton in Berbice. In April, GPL signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Qatar-based Urbacon Concessions Investments, W.L.L (UCI) for the rental of the 36-MW floating power plant for two years in a move to add much-needed capacity to the grid.
While the rental deal was signed with UCI, the power ship is owned by Turkey-based Karpowership International. As part of this agreement, GPL has already paid a US$1 million mobilisation fee.
The power company also has to pay a fee of US 6.62 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as a monthly charter fee for the power ship and a monthly operation and maintenance fee of US 0.98 cents per kWh based on electricity generated.
GPL is also required to provide Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) for the operation of the generators onboard the vessel. The State-owned power company has been experiencing generation shortfalls due to an unprecedented rise in electricity demand coupled with challenges from its aged equipment.
In March, two of GPL’s engines failed disrupting power generation across the country. Before this vessel was connected to the grid, GPL was generating about 165 megawatts of power. However, the peak demand was about 180 megawatts.
But with the power demand expected to grow to 232 MegaWatts (MW) by this year’s end, the power company is acutely aware of the need to increase power.
Guyana is currently pursuing various avenues to fix GPL’s woes in the medium and long term. One long-term solution is the 300-MegaWatt Gas to Energy project, which will come online next year.
The scope of Guyana’s gas-to-energy project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres 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 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will 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 Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara.