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Guyana ranks second lowest in Region for renewable electricity generation – 2024 Report Jun 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Guyana has been ranked the second lowest country in Latin America and the Caribbean Region for power generation using renewables, a new report from the Development Bank of Latin and the Caribbean (CAF) shows. Chart showing the share of non-fuel electricity generation, i.e., the share of non-thermal generation in electricity production and the percentage of this that is obtained from non-conventional renewable energy sources (NCRE), including solar and wind. (Source: CAF 2024 Energy Report) CAF in its 2024 Report on Economic Development (RED) titled ‘Renewed energies: A just energy transition for sustainable development’ explained that total energy consumption in Latin America and the Caribbean is 24.2 exajoules (EJ), of which 20% (4.78 EJ) corresponds to electricity generation. According to the report, “This electrification rate is slightly lower than that of OECD countries (around 22%) and remarkably heterogeneous across countries, ranging from lows of 1% and 7% in Haiti and Guatemala to highs of 26% and 27% in Panama and Suriname, respectively.” Notably, 57% of electricity is produced from renewable sources in the region. This is significantly higher than the world average of 36%. The energy report explains that the region has a relatively clean electricity matrix. “Nonconventional renewable energy (NCRE) represents 11% of power generation, similar to the global value, indicating that the advantage in non-fuel generation comes from water resources, from which 80% of electricity from renewable sources is generated,” the report states. Furthermore, the participation of these sources in electricity generation is heterogeneous among countries. The Caribbean islands show low participation in nonfuel generation, reaching a maximum of 14% in the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, in South America, there is a group of countries with medium progress, where non-fuel generation represents between 30% and 40% of the total, and another group of advanced countries, with values between 74% and 80%. Paraguay stands out in the report since all its generation comes from hydroelectric sources. Most of the Mesoamerican countries show values between 44% and 68%, with the exception of Mexico (23%), on the low end, and Costa Rica (99%), on the high end. While the report did not provide specific details on the renewable power generated by Guyana or the nation’s progress in this regard, a table depicts poor use of electricity generated by non-conventional renewable energy sources (NCRE), including solar and wind. The energy report highlights the need to increase the electrification rate and use of green energy options. It explains that in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) announced net zero emissions scenario, the electrification rate for the region reaches 41% in 2050. Along with this expansion, there is a significant growth in installed capacity from solar and wind sources, which reach 43% and 19% in 2050, respectively. While countries around the world transition to renewable energy, Guyana has taken a different approach and said it would provide the electricity needed through the use of natural gas- a cleaner fuel in comparison to the Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) presently used to generate the country’s electrical needs. In April, this newspaper reported that seven states are now using renewable energy to supply nearly all of their electricity needs. The Government of Guyana (GoG) is however adamant that renewable energy cannot be used to supply stable electricity for the country. A recent report by the ‘Independent’ highlighted those countries, such as, Albania, Bhutan, Nepal, Paraguay, Iceland, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo produced more than 99.7 percent of the electricity they consumed using geothermal, hydro, solar or wind power. Related Similar Articles

Fruit vendor stabbed to death by husband Jun 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Police are investigating the murder of Anuradha Khatoon, called ‘Mama’, a 34-year-old fruit vendor of Best Village, West Coast Demerara, which occurred at about 23:30hrs last Saturday night. Decasesed: Anuradha Khatoon, called ‘Mama’ The woman was allegedly murdered by her reputed husband, a 30-year-old fisherman, at their Lot 1 Best Village home. Enquiries disclosed that the now deceased woman and the suspect had shared a common law relationship for the past five years. According to a police release, on Saturday at about 23:30hrs, the suspect returned home under the influence of alcohol and the woman told him that he had to ‘ease on the alcohol drinking’. The suspect became angry, and the couple ended up in a heated argument. As a result, the suspect armed himself with a knife and dealt Anuradha Khatoon one stab to her throat.  The woman fell to the floor in the living room, and the suspect made good his escape. An alarm was raised by the woman’s 12-year-old son, stepson of the suspect, who was awoken after he heard his mother screaming. The woman was then rushed to the nearby West Demerara Regional Hospital by family members, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The scene was searched and one kitchen knife was found on the floor. A stab wound was seen to the woman’s throat area. The body is at Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.  The suspect is yet to be arrested. Related Similar Articles

4,500 dengue deaths in Region thus far-PAHO  Jun 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Latin America and the Caribbean has reported 9.3 million cases of dengue so far this year, twice the number of cases reported in all of 2023. However, according to the latest epidemiological update issued late last week by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO),  the fatality rate remains below the regional goal of 0.05%. “While we are seeing a notable increase in the number of dengue cases in the region this year, it is important to highlight that the proportion of cases that progress to death remains low thanks to countries’ efforts and the support of PAHO,” PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said. “This situation highlights the importance of sustaining surveillance, strengthening prevention and control measures, and ensuring timely medical care,” he added. In 2024 so far, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have reported more than 9,500 cases of severe dengue (0.10%) and just over 4,500 deaths (fatality rate of 0.048%). Compared to the same period in 2023, all countries recorded increases in cases. This can be attributed to several factors, including territorial expansion of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, its main vector, which has expanded its range to areas where it was not present before, potentially due to factors such as El Niño and climate change. In addition, rapid unplanned urban expansion and population growth, combined with poor water and sanitation services, have created favorable conditions for the proliferation of mosquitoes in discarded objects and containers that accumulate water. Furthermore, limited contact between humans and the dengue virus, due to reduced exposure from confinement measures and travel restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, may have increased the number of susceptible people. PAHO works closely with the countries and territories of the region to implement comprehensive dengue prevention and control plans. These plans are based on PAHO’s Integrated Management Strategy for Arbovirus Disease Prevention and Control, adopted by PAHO Member States since 2003, which includes measures such as intersectoral coordination, strengthening epidemiological surveillance, improving timely clinical management, and integrated management of Aedes aegypti, with a cross-cutting focus on communication and community participation. To strengthen the capacities of health personnel in the clinical diagnosis and management of patients with dengue, PAHO has supported face-to-face and virtual training courses – through its Virtual Campus for Public Health. This has benefited more than 430,000 professionals and students of medicine and nursing in the region. As the peak season for dengue circulation approaches in the northern hemisphere, PAHO urges countries and territories to redouble their efforts in detecting and preventing cases. Governments should raise community awareness about eliminating breeding sites, adopt personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites, and ensure timely and appropriate medical care for patients. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention at any sign of alarm and take personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites PAHO also invites countries and the community, especially in Central America and the Caribbean, to join the Mosquito Awareness Week. Under the slogan United for Health, this initiative seeks to raise awareness and involve the population in the prevention and control of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. Related Similar Articles

Govt. concerned about low gold recovery rate Jun 24, 2024 News – challenges miners to adapt to new technologies Kaieteur News – With modernisation taking place in each sector, miners are encouraged to adapt to the new technologies to help increase the country’s gold recovery rate. Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat (standing) engages local gold dealers. This was emphasised by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat during a recent meeting at Duke Lodge with persons within the gold trade industry. According to the minister, the country’s recovery rate is relatively low. He said it is important for miners to shift the way in which they are currently doing things. “We only recover about 35 or 40 percent of the gold at any given mining area, whether at a small or medium mining operation. So, we have to get our miners to adapt to the new technology and different methods of doing things,” the minister stressed. With the use of technology, the recovery rate can greatly increase or even double the percentage of what the country is currently reaping. The minister that once the rate is doubled then it simply means that there will also be an increase in gold production at a similar cost of operation. However, this can only be done once the miners reinvest in their mining operations and make use of the technology that is being made available to them, especially from the government. Additionally, the natural resources minister added that they are now looking to adamantly use mercury within the gold mining industry. “We are looking to phase out mercury. We are a signatory to the Minamata Convention, so we will phase that out. It simply means that they will have to adapt to the new technologies, whether by themselves or working in groups,” Minister Bharrat stated. Miners usually mix the liquid mercury into the sediment which then forms a coating around the gold. Even as government grapples with low recovery, the country’s gold declarations have dropped by approximately 209,000 troy ounces over the past five years. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo previously had expressed the Government of Guyana’s concern about this trend. He warned that strict penalties would be imposed on those found guilty of under-reporting gold declarations to evade taxes and royalties. In 2019, gold declarations were 641,828 troy ounces, marking a 4.7% increase that year, primarily due to greater declarations from small and medium-scale miners. However, foreign companies, Guyana Goldfields Inc. (Aurora Gold Mines) and Troy Resources Guyana Inc., saw a combined output decline of 26.6% to 186,584 troy ounces. Jagdeo explained that higher gold declarations in previous years were due to large-scale miners beginning production, leading to increased declarations from those companies. Kaieteur News had reported that Troy Resources exited Guyana’s gold industry owing the country over $2.6 billion in royalties.  Last year, total gold declarations contracted by 11.2 % to 432,113.2 troy ounces, reflecting a decline in production by small- and medium-scale miners and an increase in the sole operating foreign company. It was stated that AGM recorded higher declarations by 7.8% to 109,358.4 troy ounces at the end of 2023. In wake of the US sanctions on the Guyanese billionaire Nazar Mohamed, his son Azruddin Mohamed and government official Mae Thomas for alleged gold smuggling and corruption, the government last week said it was now requesting information on all local gold exporters to see if they have been making accurate gold declarations.  President Mohamed Irfaan Ali during an engagement with the media at State House on Thursday said that while it is awaiting information from the United States on the Mohameds, the government is also seeking additional information on all gold exporters. “I have asked the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to seek further information at all export locations on gold exported by other gold dealers so that we can have information to see if it matches what is declared in our system”, the president said before revealing saying that GRA is managing the process and is very proactive in its approach for the information. The sanctions imposed on the Mohameds were made by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).  The OFAC made allegations against the Mohameds for a series of corruption – including gold smuggling. It is alleged that Thomas, the Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Labour, misused her position to offer benefits, like government contracts to the Mohameds. On the sideline of an event at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Ambassador Theriot said the sanctions, are the result of over two and a half years of investigations by US authorities. Ambassador Theriot highlighted the gravity of the offenses that led to these sanctions. She stated, “We reserve these types of sanctions for gross levels of corruption and human rights abuses.” Theriot went on to explain that, “it’s a very high bar, we do not do this lightly. This is something that we ensure that we have a preponderance of evidence before we’re ready to levy the sanctions and we had that in this case against the three individuals who were sanctioned.” Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia have since written to the OFAC requesting additional information on the allegations. President Ali on Thursday said that his government is still awaiting that information but have since revoked their cambio licence. The government has even moved to meet with local jewelers and local gold dealers asking to keep record of those who sell them gold. Related Similar Articles

ExxonMobil’s interest rate on investments still a mystery Jun 24, 2024 News Five years later… – but Pres. Ali says Govt. managing oil sector in transparent manner Kaieteur News – With Guyana soon approaching its fifth anniversary since the commencement of oil production activities, the country is still in the dark on the interest rates being charged by the operator of the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL). President Irfaan Ali ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess and CNOOC each make annual equity contributions to support the Stabroek Block operations. Consequently, the companies each receive an interest on the financial investments. This rate of return, though previously justified by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo remains a mystery, although this country’s resources are being used to pay those companies. Be that as it may, President Irfaan Ali believes there is no lack of transparency in the management of the burgeoning petroleum sector. During a press conference on Thursday, the Head of State was asked to comment on his government’s perceived lack of transparency in the management of the sector. Ali in response explained, “I can’t respond to perception, what facts are you bringing? If you are saying, there is lack of transparency where is the lack of transparency?” Notably, the Head of State did not allow Kaieteur News to cite specific examples but he noted that he does not need to address matters relating to the sector since the VP answers questions weekly in that regard. The President then went on to explain, “In terms of the management of the sector, we had made it very clear there are historical things that we would have liked to be better, we would have liked the negotiations then to give us a better agreement but we have an agreement that we have to work with.” After Ali pointed to the enactment of a new Petroleum Activities Act to govern the sector, the passage of the Local Content legislation, as well as the new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) crafted by his government, Kaieteur News alerted the Head of State that the country is still in the dark on the interest rates being charged while there has also been no update to the Stabroek Block reserves in two years. The President however maintained, “I don’t know that there’s a lack of transparency. I can’t agree with you and I can say to you that all the revenue we have received is published according to law and there is remedy in the legislation if those revenues are not published.” Meanwhile, the Head of State noted that work was ongoing to update the country’s reserves and when information in that regard becomes available, it will be shared publicly. He said, “Now in terms of the finds and the commercial viability, that is ongoing work and as the information becomes available, whatever information is there that becomes available will be shared publicly. You can rest assure we have no interest in not revealing the reserves that we have because we want more persons to be attracted.” While the President has committed to revealing the updated reserves, as this would be in the best interest of the country, the government has refused to provide the public with recent data in that regard although Exxon has publicly revealed that appraisal activities are ongoing to determine the viability of the resources that have been discovered to date. The last resource estimate in 2022 of the Stabroek Block determined that the country had approximately 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil reserves. Since then, however, Exxon has announced an additional eight discoveries. Stakeholders believe that the government is deliberately withholding the updated oil reserves from the public as this would lead to more public pressure for a renegotiation of the 2016 oil deal with Exxon. It must be noted that President Ali did not address the unknown interest rates being charged by ExxonMobil and partners in the Stabroek Block. Previously, VP Jagdeo said Guyana was paying a rate to Exxon as this is a standard practice for a return to be generated on a company’s equity. “Regardless of whether you make the financing in the form of a loan or equity, you have to get a rate return. There is a cost of capital and that is how it is,” Jagdeo asserted. Despite multiple attempts by this newspaper to clear the air on this issue however, the government has refused to tell the nation how much interest was being charged on the companies’ investments. Related Similar Articles

If shrimp is prawns, den cow is donkey! Jun 24, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists Dem Boys Seh… Kaieteur News – Dem boys seh dem government always find a way to mek we laugh. Dem boasting about how much shrimp we producing. But ask any poor man who looking fuh a lil parcel of de brackish water shrimp, and he gon tell yuh: “Bai, de price still high like gas in dem days.” Yuh see, dem politicians love fuh talk ‘bout how much more shrimp we got in de brackish water. Dey seh it’s a shrimp bonanza. But when yuh go to de market, is like de shrimp dem hiding. Dem price nah budge one bit. Poor man stand up by de stall looking at dem red shrimp, wondering if dem turn to gold or what. One lady seh she nearly faint when she hear de price. “Dem shrimp gat egg inside dem?” she ask de vendor. Vendor just shrug and seh, “Is de government fuh blame.” Now dem come wid a new plan – inland prawns cultivation. But dem boys seh, why we need more prawns when we can’t even afford de shrimp? Dem government officials must be living in some fairy tale land where money does grow pon tree. And leh we talk ‘bout dem eateries. Yuh think dem easy? Dem selling fat shrimp and calling it prawns, thinking we nah know de difference. One time dem boys order prawns curry, and when it come, it was shrimp! Dem boys seh, yuh cyant fool we, we know a shrimp when we see one. But dem restaurant owner smile sweet sweet and seh, “Is prawns, just smaller.” Dem boys seh, “If shrimp is prawn, den cow is donkey.” Is a real rip-off fuh consumers. De government boasting about shrimp production, but dem nah see we struggling fuh buy lil bit. Dem boys seh, next time de government boast, tell dem fuh come market wid we and see if dem can afford dem own shrimp. Maybe den dem gon understand why we bawling. Till den, we guh continue fuh boil lil saltfish and pretend is shrimp, cause dat is all we can afford. Talk half. Leff half. Related Similar Articles