Dear Editor,
I write with specific reference to the article headlined “Rusal to mull hydropower” (07.02.08) where it was stated in part by Mr. Bill Holrody, the director of international development at Bosai “that an operation of this type must have cheap and reliable power and this will be the biggest obstacle for any company having such plans. “It was noted that a feasibility study for this type of operation usually takes up to three years, but it is expected that the first phase will be operating during 2011…”.
In response to this statement I beg to respectfully differ with Mr. Bill Holrody on the stated time frame for the completion of feasibility studies such as the ones being proposed by Bosai and the Russian bauxite giant RUSAL based on my background experience and make the following observations:
1. Present day Information Technology Infrastructures based on Real-Time Techno-logies if employed during these project evaluations will significantly reduce the time frame for completion and costs for any one of these feasibility studies.
2. Given the fact that over the years, particularly during the L.F.S. Burnham Administration several feasibility studies with respect to potential hydro-power sites in Guyana were conducted; why not simply re-evaluate some of these feasibility studies thereby enabling a significant reduction in the time for completion of project evaluation as well as costs.
Other observations with regards to the foregoing are the questions with regards to where the funding for these feasibility studies will come from, what competitive bidding procedures/processes will be followed; and, what will be the level of involvement of the Guyana Government as well as that of indigenous Guyanese businesses (resident or overseas based), and other North American (US…) based companies in these proposed project activities.
Lastly, from a personal and professional standpoint and on behalf of our company we are prepared to offer assistance in any way we can to bring any or all of these proposed projects to fruition.
Yours faithfully,
(name and address
provided)
