Georgetown: The period for invitation of bids for construction of the hydroelectric project and irrigation infrastructure at Kato in Region 8 (Potaro /Siparuni) has been extended by three weeks.
The deadline for acceptance of bids for the project was April 23rd last.
A source close to the project said that the extension was done because at the initial closing date no suitably qualified bid had been received.
Work on the Kato project is scheduled to begin in the last quarter of the year with a targeted completion date in mid-2015.
The selected contractor will be allowed a total of six months to prepare designs and get them approved but this delay , the source said, will not affect the timeline for the project in any way.
The Government of Guyana secured funding for the development of the micro-hydropower system at Kato, from the European Union (EU) early last year to be constructed at a cost of approximately G$615M with the EU contributing G$460M under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), while the Guyana Government is contributing G$154M.
The system will comprise a 330-kilowatt micro-hydropower station with its primary energy source being the 36 metres head waterfall in the Chiung River, in the vicinity of Kato Village.
Sufficient generating capacity, for electrical services, is to be provided to a secondary school complex that the Ministry of Education is to construct, existing government buildings, such as the nursery/primary schools, the Guest House, the Police Outpost, medical facilities and school dormitories.
The network is also to provide electricity to neighbouring Paramakatoi through a 16-kilometre transmission line that forms part of the intervention and a 500-metre distribution system to supply the existing government institutions at Paramakatoi.
The hydro project will also involve the erection of a pump station to supply water for irrigation of neighboring farmlands.
The intention is to provide electricity at the community level for productive, income-generating initiatives that could transform the targeted villages, particularly Kato, from a subsistence to a cash economy.
The implementation is being managed by the Hinterland Electrification Unit (HEU)in Office of the Prime Minister.
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