Gas-to-energy electricity plant delayed to 2026

Last Updated on Saturday, 24 May 2025, 11:34 by Writer

Prime Minister Mark Phillips told the National Assembly on Friday that the US$759 million natural gas-fired electricity plant, which is expected to reduce consumer tariffs by 50 percent, would now be completed during April-June 2026.

“The gas-to-energy project is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2026 to be on the safe side,” he told the National Assembly’s Committee of Supply after consulting on the spot with Head of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Kesh Nandlall and Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, Alfred King.

The Prime Minister could not immediately tell Mr Patterson what percentage of the project was completed.

“I will have to get that information to you. I am not going to do a guess,” he said.

The government had initially hoped that the gas-to-energy project would be completed before the end of 2025 but later pushed that deadline back to the end of this year.

Mr Phillips announced the new deadline during intense interrogation by opposition Shadow Public Works Minister, David Patterson about GY$28.7 billion to finance the construction of a transmission and distribution network, including new and upgraded substations, to take the power from the 300 megawatt natural gas-fired plant.

Initially, the Prime Minister was reluctant to answer the question but only did so after Mr Patterson pressed him based on the fact that he less than five minutes earlier said the new Georgetown-to-Moleson Creek transmission and distribution system would be completed in another year.

Mr Phillips further explained that the money was sought because the government did not receive financing bids in response to its request for tenders in April 2025

The facility also includes an integrated natural gas liquids (NGLs) separation plant that would produce cooking gas and raw materials for fertiliser.

In response to opposition A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul’s question about when the Final Investment Plan and Heads of Agreement for the gas-to-energy project that were signed on June 30, 2022 would be tabled in the National Assembly, the Prime Minister said he was unaware of such a request.

“Mr Chair, I am now being made (aware) of such a request. Did you make that request earlier?”

Mr Mahipaul reminded Mr Phillips that that question was first raised during consideration of the 2023 budgetary estimates.

The Prime Minister assured that the documents would be provided but he did not say when that would be done.

“My memory is now being refreshed and, as I mentioned to the Honourable Member, I have a reputation of delivering on any promise that I make,” he said.