Norconsult, an engineering and design consultancy firm out of Norway, contracted by the Government of Norway, for an “objective and facts-based” assessment of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) on Wednesday released its report on the venture, stating that the only realistic path for Guyana moving towards an emission-free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential.
In its recommendations the independent consultancy firm endorsed that the best way for Guyana to achieve its 2025 green agenda commitment is to maintain the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.
But just moments before the report was made public, the Government of Guyana, through Minister David Patterson issued a statement claiming that the Norconsult consultancy has justified Government’s position that the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project is not financially viable for the country and will be a burden to the people of Guyana. The Government is claiming that the independent report gives credence to its position on the need for an energy mix to increase the country’s share of renewable energy by close to 100 per cent by the year 2025. The Government is claiming that the report also provides supporting evidence that the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project would not be optimal in its current model and presents an unbalanced risk to the Government and People of Guyana.
Having read the report and Government’s statement, one is left to wonder if the Administration received the same assessment report as was released to the public.
Why would the Government of Guyana want to deceive the nation on the project? Is it that the top decision makers are so egoistic that they cannot endorse a project that is good for Guyana simply because it was conceived by the People’s Progressive Party?
While in Opposition, both the APNU and AFC criticised the project and having gained the 2015 Elections, sought a review of the project. Now that the review is out and not in its favour, the coalition in its statement said that the Administration proposes to utilise a mix of energy options, starting with less risky options such as solar and wind, as outlined in Budget 2017. This raises eyebrows as the report specifically stated that wind energy will not support Guyana’s commitment to reach 100 per cent renewable by 2025.
Again the public is left to question the motive of the Administration to pursue a project, which according to the assessment, cannot independently help Guyana to achieve its United Nations commitment for 2025. The pursuit by Government on mix of energy options, including wind farm, comes months after a known financier of the Alliance For Change, has been negotiating a Power Purchase Agreement that was never tendered.
The US$50 million wind farm project has been touted by Government as its solution to Guyana Power and Light power outage woes.
The decision by Government, to twist the Norconsult consultancy report, is unfortunate as it paints an appalling picture of the magnitude to which ego will direct the future of Guyana. This in turn will have a trickle effect on the development of Guyana and in the interest of Guyanese and the country’s development, personality should be set aside and the nation’s interest be placed on the forefront.
In putting the interest of the nation high on its agenda, the Government should move to revitalise the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project in a restructured financial model.
