Sharma Solomon Demands Answers on GTE Project Spending and Blackouts in Guyana

According to Kaieteur News, APNU Member of Parliament Sharma Solomon is demanding that the Government of Guyana (GoG) provide details on the total amount of money spent on the GTE project to date and what actions have been put in place to ensure Guyanese do not continue to experience power outages while the power plant is still being built.

Solomon stated that the working populace of the country faces increasing living expenses and electricity bills while still facing uncertainty about the frequency of blackouts. He added that during an El Niño crisis, electricity disruptions during both day and night exacerbate the suffering of Guyanese.

Solomon mentioned that families are left without light, fans, or basic electricity in their homes, and schools are forced to operate in extreme heat, sometimes lacking electricity or water, which he stated are conditions that should not be acceptable for children to learn under. He noted that the elderly, vulnerable citizens, and ordinary working families are all affected by these interruptions, and some small businesses have reported substantial losses due to the power outages.

Solomon commented that the Government has acknowledged the strain on Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc., questioning the administration's capability in planning for and preparing for the nation's rapid economic growth. GPL has reported that peak electricity demand rose from 221 megawatts (MW) in 2025 to around 257 MW in September 2026, and the state-owned utility's customer base increased from approximately 201,000 in 2020 to 250,000.

Against this background, Solomon asserted that these figures should not have been unexpected, as population growth, expanding economic activity, and increased electricity use necessitate advance planning. He questioned why the Government allowed demand to exceed the reliability of the electricity supply and why consumers must endure the consequences of insufficient preparation.

Solomon claimed that instead of increasing electricity generation capacity to match demand, the administration has relied on short-term solutions, such as renting power ships to address the deficit. He argued that Guyanese deserve an explanation for the decisions leading to the current situation, especially since alternative generation arrangements and strengthening the existing system, such as the dual fuel system at Garden of Eden which the government committed to developing, should have been part of a properly planned energy strategy.

Solomon pointed out that residents of Linden recently protested against continuous power disruptions, yet communities nationwide continue to suffer from blackouts.

He stated that the Gas-to-Energy project was presented to Guyanese as a major solution to the country's electricity issues, with promises of cheaper electricity and a 50% reduction in power bills. However, Solomon noted that this project is already significantly behind schedule, with costs surpassing initial projections and its promised benefits remaining uncertain.

The Shadow Minister of Natural Resources mentioned that the offshore pipeline, which will transport natural gas to the power plant, has been laid, with over US$2 billion committed to the project. He stated that Guyanese were promised a period of reliable and affordable electricity but are still awaiting the fulfillment of those promises.

Solomon called on the Government to explain the reasons for the delay in delivering the major project and whether citizens can still anticipate the promised 50% reduction in their electricity bills. He further noted that GPL has announced infrastructure investments totaling approximately US$800 million and anticipates significant improvements in reliability by mid-2027.

Solomon expressed that Guyanese want to know how much of this investment will directly reduce blackouts, improve voltage, and strengthen supply in communities like Linden, instead of merely hearing more promises.

The MP maintained that the development of Guyana's natural resources must translate into more than just increased production figures, billions in revenue, and impressive government announcements. He asserted that the nation's natural resource wealth must result in tangible improvements in the daily lives of its citizens.

Solomon stated that the wealth from oil and gas cannot be celebrated while children are in hot classrooms, elderly citizens endure power cuts, market vendors discard spoiled goods, and families remain uncertain about their electricity supply. He concluded that the true measure of energy development is not the amount of gas produced or money spent, but whether ordinary Guyanese receive reliable and affordable electricity.

Solomon requested that the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, inform the public about the current total cost of the Gas-to-Energy project, the revised date for commercial operation, and what independently verified reduction in residential electricity bills and power outages the Government is prepared to guarantee. More importantly, he insisted that the Government must explain what immediate actions will be taken to prevent Guyanese from enduring continued blackouts while awaiting a project that was presented as the solution to their electricity problems.

Solomon concluded by stating that Guyanese deserve electricity that is affordable, sustainable, and reliable, bills they can manage, and a government that plans before a crisis develops, rather than one that waits for working people to take to the streets before acknowledging the issue.

Regarding the project timeline, the 300-MW GTE project was initially anticipated to commence operations in December 2024. However, the contractor, Lindsayca, has reportedly informed the Government that 57 MW will be added to the national grid before the end of 2026. All turbines are projected to be operational by mid-2027, at which point the project is expected to deliver its full 300 MW capacity.