By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — In a major move to solidify Guyana’s transition to renewable energy, President Dr. Irfaan Ali officially announced the launch of a new Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP). The announcement was the highlight of the opening ceremony for the Fifth Edition of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The project, which has faced various iterations over the last decade, is now being repositioned as the centerpiece of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.
A Cornerstone of Energy Security
Under the conference theme “Building Tomorrow’s Future for Today,” President Ali framed the AFHP as a necessity for economic resilience. The project is expected to significantly lower the cost of electricity for both domestic and industrial consumers.
- Sustainable Growth: The President noted that while Guyana is currently an oil-producing powerhouse, its long-term stability relies on a diversified energy mix that includes hydro, solar, and wind.
- Public Confidence: Highlighting a recent national survey, Ali revealed that 94% of Guyanese express confidence in the country’s current trajectory—a sentiment he attributed to the government’s focus on large-scale infrastructure and economic security.
Expanding the Energy Portfolio
Beyond the Amaila Falls project, the President unveiled several other strategic initiatives aimed at fostering local content and regional stability:
- New Gas Bottling Plant: The President announced the launch of a state-of-the-art gas bottling facility and explicitly invited Guyanese ownership and participation. This move is intended to ensure that the benefits of the Gas-to-Energy project reach the household level through cheaper cooking gas.
- Regional Cooperation with Suriname: Guyana and Suriname are currently exploring joint development of their shared natural gas resources in the Corentyne block.
- Berbice Gas-to-Energy Project: Plans are moving forward for a second major gas-to-energy facility, to be located in Berbice, which will support the proposed deep-water port and industrial zone in Region 6.
Addressing National Challenges
President Ali acknowledged that energy is not an isolated issue but is deeply linked to the “urgent needs” of the population. He cited rising food costs and climate change as primary drivers for the government’s aggressive energy agenda.
“The Amaila Falls project marks a pivotal step toward establishing a resilient energy infrastructure that will not only power the nation but also drive economic growth and technological advancement,” the President stated.
What the EOI Means for Investors
The EOI invites international and local firms to submit proposals for the Design, Finance, and Construction of the 165MW plant. The government is reportedly leaning toward a BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) model, ensuring that the asset eventually returns to full state ownership, similar to the strategy recently discussed for the Berbice River Bridge.
