Boost for hinterland businesses, services with commissioning of Kato Hydro Plant

PM Phillips with officials at the commissioning

A newly commissioned hydropower plant in Kato, Region Eight, is expected to transform the hinterland community by delivering more reliable electricity to power businesses, strengthen essential services, and improve daily life for residents.

At the commissioning ceremony on Friday, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said the facility forms part of a broader national push to ensure every community benefits from an energy mix that prioritises renewable power. “This is not isolated. It is one part of a broader national vision: the transformation of Guyana’s energy sector. No community is forgotten; no Guyanese will be left standing in darkness while others stride into the future.”

Phillips said the project followed direct engagement with residents and a commitment from President Dr Irfaan Ali. “From that commitment came renewed work. From that work came partnership, and from partnership came this 150 kW hydropower plant—a firm example of what happens when government listens, acts, and follows through.”

He said about 75 per cent of the workforce came from Kato and nearby communities, and the system will supply electricity to 34 community buildings. “These are real institutions that touch every family in Kato.” Seventeen residents will operate the plant, with operators already receiving specialist training in Lethem and Mahdia.

Phillips described the project as a tool for economic liberation and urged residents to use the new power source to expand opportunities. “Use the energy to build businesses, strengthen education and support your health services, your craft heritage, your youth programmes. Use it to raise your standard of living and expand your opportunities.”

He also highlighted wider national energy upgrades, including 186.2 MW added from new generation at Garden of Eden and Columbia, emergency power from two ships, and the 300 MW Gas-to-Energy project underway at Wales. Hinterland investments include hydropower projects at Moco-Moco, Kumu and Kato; solar farms in Lethem, Bartica, Mahdia, Wakenaam and Leguan; and more than 36,000 solar home systems.

“With renewable generation feeding essential public services, Kato becomes a model place other communities will visit to see what is possible when a country commits to equitable, resilient, modern power supply.”

He added that technical oversight, continued training, planned upgrades, and regional integration of renewable systems will follow. “As Guyana accelerates its low-carbon transition, communities like Kato will move forward with the nation powered, equipped, and empowered. Our government will continue delivering energy access community by community, region by region, until Guyana becomes a unified, modern, clean-energy nation.”