The Ministry of Public Infrastructure on Thursday signed a contract for the, “Design, Supply and Installation of a 150kW hydropower plant on the Cheung River, at Kato Village, in Region Eight.
“This contract was awarded to B & J Civil Works to the tune of US $2,251,880 and the funding of the project will be provided through the Inter-American Develop-ment Bank under the Sustainable Energy Program for Guyana,” the ministry said in a post on its Facebook page.
“This project is expected to run for a period of 18 months with 12 months defects and liability period after the completion of the project,” it added.
This project comprises three components: The construction of 150kW hydropower plant on the bank of the Cheung River. Inclusive of wire, intake, headrace canal with sand trap, forebay, penstock and power house; the construction of 13.8KV Transmission Network (Kato Hydro Station, Secondary School and Kato Village; and the construction of 120V Distribution Network in Kato Village.
According to the ministry, the objective of the project is to provide Kato and government facilities and the Kato secondary school with a relatively cheap and reliable source of power that will result in livelihood enhancements.
It added that homes that are located within the proximity of the distribution grid are expected to receive power in the initial stage of the project. Additionally, at the school, electricity will be available in the evening for the students to read, write and study. It was also noted that the power will be available during the day at the school to facilitate the use of power tools and equipment for the technical and vocational training. Power will also be used for the pumping of water to ensure proper sanitation in the dormitory facilities.
