Port Kaituma, Mahdia get long awaited transformer

GINA, GUYANA, Tuesday, May 16, 2017

The Hinterland Electrification Company Incorporated (HECI) has finally overcome the challenges and has delivered both   Port Kaituma’s and Mahdia’s transformer.

In December 2015, a contract was awarded for the procurement of two electrical transformers for the two communities.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for HECI, Horace Williams told the Government Information agency (GINA) that the transformer was delivered to Port Kaituma over two weeks ago.

The units, which cost a total of $6M, are part of the infrastructure needed to upgrade the electricity service provided to the two hinterland communities.

Williams explained that the Port Kaituma’s transformer which was supplied by Tels Engineering Services was delayed because there were challenges in getting a barge to offload the equipment at the Port Kaituma wharf.

“The supplier of the transformer Tels Engineering engaged a business man who was sending in equipment to Port Kaituma for assistance. They used a barge to send the transformer to the power station and so it’s now in the region,” Williams pointed out.

The CEO highlighted that the transformer is only for redundancy purposes. It is to be used in emergencies cases especially if the current transformer is damaged or stops working.

He stressed that the transformer in not to be used to provide electricity for the residents currently, since the current transformer has no defects and is being maintained regularly.

“However, in an effort to provide the residents with upgraded services and improved reliability we sought another transformer so that when the current one trips we do not have the residents in long hours and several days of blackouts,” Williams pointed out.

The residents in Port Kaituma are currently receiving 20 hours of electricity daily from 12:00 midday to 8:00hrs. Williams noted that the power station has experienced some challenges recently, but assured that it is fixed and there are no disruptions.

HECI is a company under the purview of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. Ministry within the Ministry Annette Ferguson during her 2017 budget speech said, “the vision of our government is to allow all hinterland households and communities to have access to affordable, reliable, modern energy systems and services for sustainable hinterland development and improvement in the social welfare of the hinterland population.”

To this end the sum of $264M has been allocated for the realisation of these and several other activities in the hinterland.

 

By: Ranetta La Fleur