New power generating plant engines to arrive tomorrow

May 30, 2009 News

GPL Projects Manager, Lennox McGreggor

Although there have been some teething issues, works to bring on stream the new
21-megawatt power generating plant at Kingston is moving apace in a satisfactory way.
At least this is according to, Lennox McGreggor, Projects Manager within the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL).

McGreggor yesterday said that works are progressing smoothly and that it is anticipated that the project, which will see transmission lines being strategically routed along the Lamaha Railway Embankment, will be completed by the stipulated deadline.
It was estimated that the project would be completed in its entirety by the end of next month.
The new plant’s transmissions line will cover approximately five kilometres between Kingston and Sophia and will be completed at a cost of about US$300,000.

Construction of the foundation of the plant commenced earlier this year and was followed by the removal of squatters who had taken up residents along the embankment.
The completion of the foundation of the plant was slated for this month, in time for the arrival of the engines that will operate the plant. And from all indications the deadline has been achieved, as the engines will be arriving in Guyana on Sunday.

He had earlier disclosed, “We don’t want to bring in machinery and store them up.
We are going to prepare the foundation first so when they bring things like the engines, they can go straight unto the foundation and then the contractor will start building the power station around them.”
In order to highlight, in detail, the progress of the power-generating project, McGreggor said that media operatives are invited to witness the arrival of the engines tomorrow at the John Fernandes Wharf after which GPL officials will facilitate a media brief. The engines will be transported to the new plant site at Kingston and there is likely to be a tour of the facility, McGreggor hinted.

During a visit at the site yesterday it was observed that the plant is indeed taking shape as workmen continued necessary works to accommodate the engines on their arrival there.
The power generating project is being funded by the government and is expected to amount to about US$27 M. Cabinet had approved a contract valued at G$176 M for the purpose of the construction of the foundation for the plant.

It is expected that the completion of the project will not only serve to replace the generating plant that is currently being utilised but will allow for a more reliable supply of electricity, McGreggor had disclosed.
He said that the plant would see GPL experiencing a significant reduction in its operation costs.
Meanwhile measures have already been put in place for an extension of electricity service in Berbice, between Skeldon and Number 53 Village, McGreggor disclosed yesterday.

He added that contractors have started mobilising themselves in order to undertake physical works from Monday. And according to the Projects Manager, GPL will be offering technical support to the selected contractors, adding that inspectors will be tasked with making quality control checks throughout the course of the project.