While one can agree that a gas-to-shore project would help to significantly reduce the burdensome electricity costs that have hampered the nation’s development for years, Executive Member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson, is of the firm conviction that landing the project at Wales, as proposed by the PPP/C Government, would be an act of insanity.
During his contributions to the 2021 budget on Friday, Patterson noted that one of the studies the coalition regime had commissioned categorically stated that Wales was not a viable area since it would involve landing the gas pipeline across the mouth of the nation’s busiest river.
Turning his attention to the proposed timeline for completion of the project, Patterson said, “Without any studies, for which they are now seeking funding, the project is already a disaster. They are claiming that the project will be completed in 2023. This is hogwash if it is to be done within acceptable standards.”
He added, “The FEED (Front End Engineering Design) which is done after the completion of the feasibility study takes nine months, the fabrication of the pipeline alone takes two years, laying of the pipeline is another nine months, not to mention the civil works for the power plants as well as the sub-stations for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).”
Further to this, the former Minister noted that the supply of gas will be interpreted for an anticipated 2 – 3 days per year, for routine maintenance of the equipment.
Added to the foregoing, the Parliamentarian said, “To keep the plants working you will need a fuel supply. But it is impractical to build storage tanks for natural gas there and the location makes it very difficult to supply with Heavy Fuel Oil…”
With these factors considered, the AFC Executive said the nation is surely doomed if the PPP/C administration forges ahead with the project at Wales.
