Dispute resolution body rules on $100 million gas-to-energy site claims

Last Updated on Monday, 3 February 2025, 21:36 by Writer

A dispute panel has ruled in connection with Lindsayca/CH4’s claims totalling an estimated US$100 million for extra work that had to be done at the Wales site for the gas to energy plant and natural gas liquids plant.

However, the government has refused to provide details, only saying that the parties have 28 days to decide whether to take the matters to arbitration.

Following is the full text of the statement by the Office of the President:

As has been widely reported in the media, certain matters of dispute in connection with the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) 300 MW Integrated Plant between the Government of Guyana (GOG) and the Contractor, Lindsayca/CH4, were referred to the Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication Board (DAAB) on 19 September 2024.

On 31 January 2025, the DAAB issued their ruling on the matters referred to it. In relation to this ruling, the parties to the dispute resolution process are bound by certain rules of confidentiality. Following the DAAB ruling, the Parties have 28 days to determine if they wish to refer the decisions, or any part thereof, to Arbitration, which would be the next stage in the dispute resolution process.

It would be recalled that certain aspects of the project were executed on the GOG’s behalf by Exxon Mobil. The GOG will, therefore, in the next few weeks, in consultation with its partners, including ExxonMobil, as well as relevant legal and technical advisors, determine the best course forward for GOG.

The GOG’s priority continues to be to ensure that the project is completed in the shortest possible time and in keeping with contractual specifications, with a view to bringing the power plant and the NGL plant into operation and delivering the associated benefits to the Guyanese People as soon as possible. When completed, the project’s benefits will include a doubling of the country’s electricity generating capacity to meet growing demand and a reduction in the cost of generation, thereby enabling electricity prices paid by consumers to be cut by 50 per cent. This will, in turn, catalyse rapid expansion in industrial activity, and immediately improve the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector and all other productive sectors that are energy intensive, bringing vast employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for Guyanese nationals. Additionally, the completion of the project will facilitate other benefits such as a reduction in the cost of LPG cooking gas to households and businesses, and the realisation of domestic self-sufficiency with significant surplus for the export market. Consequently, the project will not only generate significant foreign currency savings for our country as a result of reduced imports, but also generate additional export revenue, bringing with it the attendant macroeconomic benefits of a stronger balance of payments position, which will redound to the benefit of the Guyanese people.