Guyana signs US$8.6M contract with Power China to build Gas-to-Shore Control Centre

The final phase of the Gas-to-Energy project is advancing rapidly with the recent signing of an US$8.6 million contract between the Government of Guyana and Power China, a prominent Chinese company. The contract entails the construction of a building to house the National Control Centre, a crucial component of the Gas-to-Energy initiative.
Power China emerged as the successful bidder among three shortlisted companies during an open tender process. The construction will take place in Beterverwagting along the East Coast of Demerara, with an expected completion time of 13 months.
At the signing ceremony held in the Office of the Prime Minister’s boardroom on Camp Street, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips emphasised the significance of the new building in managing the power transmission and distribution from the Gas-to-Energy project.
“This is crucial for the overall management of the transmission and distribution of power generated by the Gas-to-Energy project. By 2025, the people of Guyana will benefit from reliable electricity,” stated Prime Minister Phillips. He further highlighted that the project will help the government fulfil its commitment to reduce the cost of living for citizens by lowering electricity costs.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, explained that the nearly $2 billion gas project includes multiple simultaneous components. These encompass the installation of deep-water, shallow-water, and underground pipelines, the construction of the Materials Offloading Facility in Wales, West Bank Demerara, and the development of access roads and the power plant. Additionally, transmission lines are being installed to transfer electricity to the control centre, with the 230 KV lines currently being installed by Kalapataru Projects International Limited (KPIL).
“Today, we signed the last aspect of the comprehensive Gas-to-Energy project. KPIL is constructing the 230 KV transmission line to connect Vreed-en-Hoop Substation and Beterverwagting behind Eccles. This new contract will establish the control centre building,” Minister Indar elaborated.
Minister Indar also mentioned the necessity of a temporary building to meet the project’s timeline, with an expected completion by December of this year to ensure the timely dispatch of power once the plant becomes operational.
Kesh Nandlall, Head of the Executive Management Committee of the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL), underscored the importance of the new building in enhancing GPL’s service delivery. “This facility will house the scanning equipment, essential for efficient power grid management. It represents a vital infrastructure development for the power sector, as it will house the grid’s operational hub,” Nandlall stated.