Chinese courting Guyana government amid energy build-out

Power Construction Corporation of China (Powerchina) has stepped up engagement with authorities in Guyana as the country advances its energy development pipeline.

The South American nation’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips met with a delegation of the Chinese group led by its Caribbean representative Dan Chen.

The PM’s office said that Phillips was briefed on Powerchina’s regional portfolio and operations. Additional information was not disclosed.

Powerchina was the second-highest ranked bidder in the government’s EPC call for the 300MW combined cycle plant and natural gas liquids (NGL) facility as part of Guyana’s gas-to-energy (GTE) project.

The plant and NGL facility were awarded to a consortium of US companies CH4 and Lindsayca. The contract was signed last month.

The natural gas for the GTE project will be supplied by Guyana’s flagship upstream development, the Stabroek offshore block, in which China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has a 25% stake.

Powerchina, through Sinohydro, also participated in a request for proposals issued by the government for the 165MW Amaila Falls hydro project, bidding for which is penciled in for this year.

In a recent interview, Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali said: “We see China as an important part of the energy equation of our country. We continue to encourage China, as we encourage everyone, to participate fully in the bidding process of this energy platform that we are developing.” 

Last year, the two countries commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations.