Guyana’s power generation output is below what is required mainly due to poor oversight on the part of the former regime, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government, says Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.
During a press conference today at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, the former Finance Minister said that the demand is greater that production levels, thus creating a shortfall in power to industries that depend greatly on energy. These would include the industrial/manufacturing and other commercial sectors.
The Office of the Prime Minister now has oversight of the energy sector.
Jagdeo said that cabinet was informed by the Prime Minister, Mark Phillips that
Power generation is about 90 megawatts, which is 20 megawatts below peak demand.
“So now, we are producing…Less than what our peak demand is – so, really bad shape!” Jagdeo said.
He added that there needs to be a recalibration of the oversight system to deliver optimal and adequate power to consumers.
The Vice President spoke of the provision of cheaper energy as a priority of the government. He said that one of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s manifesto promise is to ensure that the cost of energy is slashed by 50 percent.
He opined that the shuttling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to shore may hold the solution to Guyana’s energy problem.
Notably, he said that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is currently shouldering a massive deficit, and that it is unlikely that the agency will recover anytime soon.
