Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips, today met with representatives of Siemens Energy at the Office of the Prime Minister to discuss preparations for the start-up and operation of the 300-megawatt combined-cycle power plant under Phase One of the Gas-to-Energy Project.
Siemens Energy has been selected as the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) operator for the power plant, including the balance-of-plant and auxiliary facilities. The team is currently in Guyana to advance mobilisation and technical coordination ahead of the commencement of operations.
During the meeting, discussions focused on management timelines, staffing, training, logistics and other technical requirements associated with the transition to operations. The O&M arrangement includes a five-year operations period, with an option for renewal, as well as a 20-year long-term maintenance programme for the turbines.
Prime Minister Phillips, who holds responsibility for the nation’s energy sector and the Gas-to-Energy Project, welcomed the team and underscored the importance of its technical expertise in supporting the project’s successful transition from construction to operation.
“Your presence in Guyana at this stage is important. The focus now is on the technical work, mobilisation and preparations required to ensure that the plant is ready for start-up and, importantly, that it operates safely, reliably and efficiently. You bring the expertise that is critical at this stage of the project as we work towards delivering stable and reliable electricity to the people of Guyana.”
He emphasised that the effective management of the facility will be integral to realising the wider benefits of the Gas-to-Energy Project for Guyanese households and businesses, including improved electricity supply and reduced energy costs.
The Prime Minister also welcomed the long-term nature of Siemens Energy’s involvement, particularly the opportunities it presents for training, mentorship and the transfer of technical knowledge to Guyanese personnel. The engagement is expected to support the progressive development of a local workforce capable of assuming greater responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the facility.
Today’s engagement follows the Prime Minister’s progress visit to the Gas-to-Energy Project at Wales earlier this week, where he inspected ongoing works and received technical updates on the implementation schedule. The current timeline provides for the first gas turbine to come online by the end of 2026, delivering approximately 57 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, with the remaining units to follow in keeping with the project schedule.
The Gas-to-Energy Project is central to the Government’s efforts to expand generation capacity, strengthen the national electricity system and significantly reduce the cost of electricity, while supporting Guyana’s wider industrial and economic development. Also participating in today’s meeting were Head of the Gas-to-Energy Task Force and Project Lead, Mr Winston Brassington; Head of the Task Force, Mr Bobby Gossai Jr; Senior Petroleum Coordinator and members of the Gas-to-Energy Task Force; and representatives of Siemens Energy.