Georgetown: Generation of electricity using 100% renewable sources has the potential of earning approximately US$10 million annually from the sale of carbon credit, according to Minister of Housing Irfan Ali during a press conference at Freedom House, Peoples Progressive Party (PPP’s) headquarters on Robb Street Monday morning.
He explained that the PPP has always held the view that issues of national development and those that seek to improve the lives and living conditions of our people, especially the poor, must be dealt with in an unbiased and nationalistic manner. These issues must not be subject to political conditions that seek to use them as a tool to achieve political outcomes. It is unthinkable that a project like the Amaila Fall Hydro Project in which almost all Guyanese and policy makers, historically and present, have unanimously deemed to be beneficial to our people would receive the non-support of the AFC and APNU.
And further he said their inability to speak on the issue in Parliament and not giving the people of Guyana a plausible explanation for their actions is not only disrespectful to our people but also abusive of their parliamentary power.
“The joint intention of the AFC and APNU to stymie national development has long been known with the constant unjustified attacks on important transformational projects. Indeed when their queries are dismantled and explained by the Government they shift their goal post in relation to their support for these projects,” Ali noted. “The joint attacks by AFC and APNU on national development put in jeopardy not only this project but also our ability to build national consensus. These unfounded attacks make a fool of the dialogue process and put to shame the engagement by the Government in seeking to build consensus with the Opposition on important national projects”
How can the AFC and APNU explain their joint position in denying our people of the following benefits as a result of their rejection of the Amaila Fall Hydro Project:
(1) Based on an estimated 20% reduction in electricity tariff from the commencement:
(2) Residential Consumers would have saved approximately $208.7 million monthly or $2.5 billion annually
For Example, Ali noted that a family paying a $5,000 per month for electricity would see a minimum of $1,000 reduction in their electricity bill per month as a result of the hydro project. A family paying a bill of $8,000 per month would see a minimum reduction of $1,600 per month in their bill. Commercial Consumers would have saved $91.3 million monthly or $1.1 billion annually
He further explained that an average small business family spends $15,000 per month on electricity. As a result of hydro project, this small business family would save a minimum of $3,000 per month.
(1) Industrial Consumer would have saved $84.1 million monthly or $1 billion annually
2. It is estimated that with the Amelia Falls Hydro Project electricity tariffs could be reduced by as much as 40% (Double the Savings Above)
3. Reduced fuel import bill by approximately 20-25% resulting in the country saving more than US$90 million annually on imported fuel
4. Reduction of current cost of generating electricity by 20-40%
5. Generation of electricity using 100% renewable sources – this has the potential of earning approximately US$10 million annually from the sale of carbon credit
6. Energy Security which is important for national development – affordable and reliable energy is also important to accelerate our national efforts at structural transformation by making manufacturing and agro-processing activities feasible
7. Enhancement of Guyana’s Competitiveness through substantially reduced cost of production and improved reliability of electricity supply
“ The PPP joins with His Excellency Donald Ramotar in reassuring all Guyanese that the issues of national development in the interest of our people is non-negotiable and we will not rest until nor shall we shy away from exploring every possibility and option that would restore to the Guyanese people not only the hope but also the accomplishment of hydroelectric power in Guyana. We must guard against the combined AFC and APNU using their one seat mischief to strangulate Guyana’s development and hold our people hostage in the process of flexing political muscles.”
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