As Guyana nears the start-up of its gas-to-energy project in late 2026 or early 2027, attention is increasingly shifting from construction to what comes next. This entails operating the facilities, managing the electricity network and ensuring emergency systems are in place to protect critical infrastructure.
The gas-to-energy project is designed to bring associated natural gas from the ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek Block to an integrated facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara. There, the gas will be used to generate electricity and produce natural gas liquids, including propane and butane. The project is expected to reduce electricity costs, improve reliability and create new opportunities for industrial development.
On June 16, the Office of the Prime Minister announced that Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited of Trinidad and Tobago and locally operated GuyGas Inc. had been identified as the first-ranked firms to operate and maintain the Phase 1 Natural Gas Plant for the gas-to-energy project.
If finalised, Phoenix Park would serve as the lead operator and GuyGas would participate as the local partner.
The government said the arrangement is intended to ensure the plant is operated safely, reliably and efficiently from startup, which is currently targeted for the first quarter of 2027.
The selection also supports local content objectives. According to the government, the arrangement is designed to maximise Guyanese participation through structured training, mentorship and skills transfer, with the long-term goal of increasing the number of Guyanese responsible for operating and maintaining the facility.
The announcement follows the selection of Siemens Energy as operator of the project’s 300-megawatt combined-cycle power plant and associated facilities. Siemens is expected to hold overall responsibility for coordinating operations and maintenance across the integrated Gas-to-Energy complex.
As operational plans take shape, the government is also working to strengthen the safeguards surrounding one of the country’s largest infrastructure investments.
Speaking on June 16 at the opening of the 14th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management Partnership Breakfast and Launch Event, Prime Minister Mark Phillips announced that a dedicated Gas-to-Energy Emergency Response Contingency Plan is currently being developed.
The plan forms part of a wider effort to expand Guyana’s disaster preparedness capabilities as the country’s infrastructure and energy assets continue to grow.
The Prime Minister noted that much of Guyana’s population and economic activity remains concentrated along the coast, where the effects of a major hazard could be felt most acutely. As new infrastructure comes online and energy capacity expands, he said, protecting critical assets and surrounding communities becomes increasingly important.
Preparing the project for operation also means preparing the national electricity system that will receive and distribute the power it produces.
Construction of the Guyana National Control Centre (GNCC), another key component of the Gas-to-Energy initiative, is progressing steadily, with testing now underway on several critical systems.
Current tests include power supply systems, backup generators, security infrastructure, water services and air-conditioning systems.
Meanwhile, the facility’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment has already arrived in Guyana and is undergoing acceptance testing at GPL’s secondary control centre in Sophia.
Once commissioned, the SCADA system is expected to significantly enhance GPL’s ability to monitor, control and optimise electricity distribution across the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System.
The GNCC is expected to strengthen real-time management of the electricity network, improve reliability and support more efficient service delivery to consumers. The facility is targeted to become fully operational by August 2026, pending successful completion of testing and acceptance requirements.
While much public attention has focused on pipelines, turbines and processing facilities, the latest developments underscore the broader work required to bring the gas-to-energy project into operation. Identifying operators, strengthening emergency preparedness and modernising grid management systems are all essential pieces of the puzzle.
With the first gas turbine expected to come online by the end of 2026 and full commissioning targeted for the first quarter of 2027, Guyana is increasingly shifting its focus from building the project to preparing for the day it begins delivering power and natural gas liquids to the country.