Construction to begin on Region Eight micro-hydro plant in 2013

Construction of the micro-hydropower system at Chiung Fall in Kato, Region Eight is expected to commence by October next year, the Government Information Agency (GINA) has reported.
This initiative, which is part of government’s hinterland electrification programme, will comprise a 330-kilowatt micro-hydropower station, with its primary energy source being the 36m head waterfall in the Chiung River, which is in the vicinity of Kato village.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, during a visit to the area over the weekend, said 30 years ago, a survey was conducted of possible hydropower sites in Guyana. Kato is located in the mountainous Pakaraimas, one of the most elevated villages in the country, in the waterway-strewn Essequibo.
Construction of the hydro is scheduled to last 18 months, and should be completed by the first quarter of 2015. This project is the result of an agreement between the government of Guyana and the European Union (EU).
The project is estimated to cost 2, 455, 797 euros ($ 615 million), with the EU contributing $ 460 million under the 10th European Development Fund, while government will be contributing the remainder.
Project Coordinator Marsha Johnson explained that two issues were raised by residents in the area: opportunities for farming and availability of water during the dry season. She said in conceptualising this hydro project, these issues were carefully studied.
“For these needs to be addressed, one of the critical resources that are required is electricity… and so we looked at how we could provide electricity that is affordable and sustainable,” Johnson said.
Meanwhile, electrical engineer at the Office of the Prime Minister, Horace Williams said the flow of the Chiung River will be used to generate electricity, while the other aspect of the project will see the construction of a pump station that will supply water to a storage facility with a capacity of 7600 cubic metres. This will be used for irrigation purposes to support commercial farming.
Moreover, there will be sufficient generating capacity for electrical services to be provided to the Kato Secondary School which will be constructed early next year, as well as existing government buildings such as the nursery and primary schools, the guest house, the police outpost, and medical facilities. Further, the system will provide electricity to Paramakatoi through a 16-kilometre transmission line which will be installed as part of the intervention.