• 140 MW hydro project
• Guyana, South America
• Replaces expensive and outdated facilities with a clean generation source
• Remote site requires no human habitat displacements

The Amaila Falls project is a 140 MW hydro project located in western Guyana, a small South American country. Currently, all generation in Guyana is provided through small units burning either diesel or heavy fuel oil. The Amaila Falls project would be a substitute for these expensive and mostly outdated generation facilities. It would not only represent a clean generation source, but also represent important foreign exchange savings for the country by reducing Guyana's dependence on expensive imported fuels. The location of the plant requires no human habitat displacements and the plant factor and water flow represents a relatively small inundation area for the generation capacity of the plant. The reliable and more economic source of electricity would also likely encourage investors to assess possible investments in the mining sector in Guyana, which has often been identified as having substantial potential.

The project design corresponds to a full technical feasibility study. The project includes a 300 km transmission line to the substation near Georgetown (the capital), as well as a newlybuilt and upgraded access road. The project has a valid Environmental Impact Study and has obtained several of the required government approvals.. All of the energy generated by the project will be taken by the government-owned utility (Guyana Power and Light) through a long term Power Purchase Agreement , as well as an "Assignment of Receivables Agreement", which ensures the payment via pass-through payment from end use customers.

Rafael S. Herz
Senior Vice-President
Project Manager: Amaila Falls