Please allow me to point out some inaccuracies and? to shed some light on some of the questions raised in the article, “Greenidge questions suitability of Amaila Falls for Hydropower”? published? in the Kaieteur News of Monday, 27th February, 2012.In summary, Guyana has not ignored the offers from Brazil but, rather, continues to aggressively work with Brazil as quickly as the procedures and processes of the two Governments allow.? Amaila has always been short-listed as a good site for development.An artist's impression of the Amaila Falls Hydro-electric Project.Current electricity generation in Guyana is based on the most up-to-date medium-speed, HFO-fuelled diesel engines which best match our demand, in terms of the daily load curve and the off-service times of units for regular maintenance and rare emergencies.? Whilst annual payments to Amaila hydro is? more than the purchase price of imported fuels, today, Amaila offers 40% more electricity at? constant? annual payments, whilst knowledgeable? authorities project continued rises in petroleum prices.To expand on the above, let me firstly assure Mr. Greenidge and the people of Guyana, that following the meeting and Joint Communique issued by Presidents Bharat Jagdeo and Luiz Lula Da Silva, a Brazilian Government Mission came to Guyana, and subsequently an MOU was entered into for the Brazilian side to develop a study of potential hydropower sites within the Mazaruni and Potaro river basins, including diversions within and between the two basins.? Previous studies which are in the control of Guyana would be made available as a starting point.? Consistent with this MOU, arrangements are presently being made with the Brazilian Government for a consortium of two large Brazilian hydro-power design and construction companies to pursue the relevant feasibility studies, which are a requirement for such major projects.Both the Guyanese? and? Brazilian Governments are keeping before them? the attractive possibilities for the development of hydropower sites in Guyana,? for sale of electric energy to Brazil, specifically into northern Brazil which itself is still at a relatively early stage of development, and in which various supporting infrastructure are still to be, and are being, developed.? Whilst remaining open to the outcome of the studies, but taking account of the distances involved, rules of thumb would suggest that production and export/import of at least 1000MW would be desirable, with probably 500MW being the economic minimum.For sure, Guyana’s domestic needs of less than 150MW could readily be met from any such large hydropower development, and unit costs are likely to be lower than costs at a site developed solely for satisfaction of Guyana’s own domestic demand. The question is, when will a large hydropower be actually in place, and should we not proceed with plans to satisfy our own domestic needs.Governments,? even with the best of intentions,? are constrained by many factors: first of all elections cycles and election results; different personalities with different focus and different prioritizations, even within? the same party when? returned to Government; and, of course, the timing which makes good economic sense, and the availability of financing. We are, nevertheless, encouraged by recent discussions with our Brazilian counterparts.Prime Minister Sam HindsI recall at the time of our nationalization of the DEMBA operations, 1971/72, losing one of our best general foremen on holiday, having been involved in a traffic accident on the then unsurfaced road from Bon Fim to Boa Vista, and hearing all the talk then that that road was to be surfaced within a year or two – it wasn’t completed until about 2000!?? Similarly, the Takutu Bridge had been under discussions since about 1970!? Governments are no less earnest than others, but Government procedures and processes are subject to much more uncertainties.This Government, quite likely as the preceding one, has judged that whilst prices are likely to be lower for electricity from some large hydropower development, such as for a large smelter which might be built in Guyana or for export sale to Brazil or elsewhere, it is prudent to pursue a hydropower development to meet our local domestic needs in good time.It is very true that development of hydropower sites in Guyana has long been a dream of our people.? Thus, the Government of the day, in 1976, had a MONENCO report that identified 60-plus sites and which recommended fifteen,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, including Amaila, for further study.A review by SWECO, in 1982, identified six sites for focus – Tiger Hill, Tumatumari, Tiboku, Amaila, Kaieteur and Upper Mazaruni, listed roughly in order of increasing size.? The first four would be aimed at meeting? existing local needs – the last three could meet additional needs of a local smelter, or for export.Tiger Hill, Tumatumari and Tiboku ar