popular articles

Guyana: a Historic Agreement Between the CEOG Power Plant and the Amerindian Village of Prospérité

After years of conflict surrounding the Western Guyanese power plant, an unprecedented agreement has been signed with the Amerindian village of Prospérité, including an endowment fund to support local development.

Please share:

After a tense period spanning several years and marked by clashes and intense negotiations, an agreement has been reached between the Central Electric of Western Guyana (CEOG) and the Amerindian village of Prospérité. This conflict, primarily centered around the impact of the plant’s location near the village and its traditional hunting areas, now appears to have reached a novel resolution.

Since the project launched in 2018, the residents of Prospérité, a village of 200 people near Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, have voiced their concerns and objections regarding the environmental and social implications of the power plant. The villagers notably criticized the encroachment on their hunting territories, which are essential to their subsistence and cultural traditions. These grievances have often led to tensions, including law enforcement interventions and arrests.

An Agreement for the Future

Last Friday, representatives of the CEOG and the village signed a historic protocol of agreement. This document notably provides for the creation of an endowment fund dedicated to supporting the development and self-sufficiency of Prospérité. According to Henry Hausermann, director of CEOG, this fund will be provided annually during the 25 years of the plant’s projected operation, although the amounts have not been disclosed.

For Jérôme Bouquet-Elkaïm, the village’s lawyer, this fund represents far more than simple financial compensation. “It’s about offering a true development perspective for Prospérité, a tool for the village to strengthen itself and envision a more autonomous future,” he stated after the agreement was signed.

A Long Road to Reconciliation

This agreement marks the culmination of complex negotiations. The situation reached a peak in October 2022 when the yopoto (village chief) was placed in custody, exacerbating anger and indignation within the community. In March 2024, the chief approached the United Nations (UN), requesting a halt to the project. This symbolic gesture underscored the intensity of the conflict and the urgency of finding an acceptable solution for both parties.

Despite this progress, the memory of these tensions remains deeply ingrained in the village’s collective memory, as expressed by Aulaguea Thérèse, president of the Federation of Indigenous Organizations of Guyana: “Nothing has been forgotten: the words, the attitude, the violence… Today, it’s imprinted in the village.” For the residents, this agreement represents as much a form of reparation as a commitment to a more peaceful future.

The CEOG Power Plant: A Major Project for Guyana

The CEOG power plant, set to be operational in 2026, is expected to supply energy to about 10,000 households. This project is part of an energy independence strategy for the region, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Although the project promises environmental benefits for Guyana, it has also raised legitimate concerns among local indigenous communities.

While this agreement appears to offer a path toward reconciliation, observers highlight the importance of closely monitoring the commitments made, both in terms of funding and respecting the rights and lifestyles of Prospérité’s residents.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Lee Jae-myung could slow nuclear expansion in South Korea

South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung, is reviewing the national energy policy, aiming to rebalance nuclear regulations without immediately shutting down reactors currently in operation.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission released its 2024 annual report, highlighting sustained activity on grid infrastructure, pricing, and evolving European regulatory frameworks.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission released its 2024 annual report, highlighting sustained activity on grid infrastructure, pricing, and evolving European regulatory frameworks.
While capital is flowing into clean technologies globally, Africa remains marginalised, receiving only a fraction of the expected flows, according to the International Energy Agency.
While capital is flowing into clean technologies globally, Africa remains marginalised, receiving only a fraction of the expected flows, according to the International Energy Agency.
The Mexican government aims to mobilise up to $9bn in private investment by 2030, but the lack of a clear commercial framework raises doubts within the industry.
The Mexican government aims to mobilise up to $9bn in private investment by 2030, but the lack of a clear commercial framework raises doubts within the industry.

United States cancels fuel economy standards set by Biden

The U.S. Department of Transportation is withdrawing strict fuel economy standards adopted under Biden, citing overreach in legal authority regarding the integration of electric vehicles into regulatory calculations for automakers.
In 2024, renewable energies covered 33.9% of electricity consumption in metropolitan France, driven by increased hydropower output and solar capacity expansion.
In 2024, renewable energies covered 33.9% of electricity consumption in metropolitan France, driven by increased hydropower output and solar capacity expansion.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has announced its strategic guidelines for 2030, focusing on the energy transition, European competitiveness and consumer needs.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has announced its strategic guidelines for 2030, focusing on the energy transition, European competitiveness and consumer needs.
Madrid paid an arbitration award to Blasket Renewable Investments after more than ten years of litigation related to the withdrawal of tax advantages for renewable energy investors.
Madrid paid an arbitration award to Blasket Renewable Investments after more than ten years of litigation related to the withdrawal of tax advantages for renewable energy investors.

The renewable energy market reaches $1,200 billion in 2024

The global renewable energy market continues to grow, reaching $1,200 billion in 2024, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), supported by investments in solar and wind energy.
The Québec government is granting $3.43mn to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Electric Cooperative to deploy smart meters and upgrade infrastructure across 16 municipalities.
The Québec government is granting $3.43mn to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Electric Cooperative to deploy smart meters and upgrade infrastructure across 16 municipalities.
New US tariff measures are driving up energy sector costs, with a particularly strong impact on storage and solar, according to a study by Wood Mackenzie.
New US tariff measures are driving up energy sector costs, with a particularly strong impact on storage and solar, according to a study by Wood Mackenzie.
Despite the proclaimed urgency, European climate investments stagnate around €500 billion per year, far from the estimated needs of nearly €850 billion. New financial instruments are attempting to revive an indispensable momentum.
Despite the proclaimed urgency, European climate investments stagnate around €500 billion per year, far from the estimated needs of nearly €850 billion. New financial instruments are attempting to revive an indispensable momentum.

African Debt: Why Investors Must Anticipate Immediate Climate Impacts

African countries now spend more on debt service than on education and healthcare, limiting essential investments despite significant energy potential. The G20, under pressure, struggles to provide an adequate response to the financial and climate challenges.
Four renewable energy producers have been authorised to sell 400 MW directly to Egyptian industrial companies without public support.
Four renewable energy producers have been authorised to sell 400 MW directly to Egyptian industrial companies without public support.
A report by Ember shows ASEAN could supply nearly one-third of its data centres with wind and solar power by 2030 without storage, provided appropriate public policies are implemented.
A report by Ember shows ASEAN could supply nearly one-third of its data centres with wind and solar power by 2030 without storage, provided appropriate public policies are implemented.
Spanish authorities and grid operator REE denied conducting any experiment on the national electricity network prior to the massive outage on April 28, the cause of which remains unknown.
Spanish authorities and grid operator REE denied conducting any experiment on the national electricity network prior to the massive outage on April 28, the cause of which remains unknown.

Wood Mackenzie’s tariff scenarios reshape global energy policy

Three trade trajectories projected by Wood Mackenzie show how tariff tensions could shift demand, prices and investment in the global energy sector.
The European Commission states the Union is on track to cut emissions by 54% by 2030, following updated national plans.
The European Commission states the Union is on track to cut emissions by 54% by 2030, following updated national plans.
South Korea announces two major tenders totaling 2.25 GW, split between offshore wind and solar, introducing new economic and technical criteria designed to strengthen energy security and attract international investors.
South Korea announces two major tenders totaling 2.25 GW, split between offshore wind and solar, introducing new economic and technical criteria designed to strengthen energy security and attract international investors.
Ember anticipates that a third of ASEAN data centre electricity demand could be met by wind and solar by 2030, without batteries, if appropriate political measures are implemented.
Ember anticipates that a third of ASEAN data centre electricity demand could be met by wind and solar by 2030, without batteries, if appropriate political measures are implemented.

Indonesia plans 69.5 GW of new power capacity by 2034

The Indonesian government targets a mixed energy expansion involving coal, gas, renewables, and nuclear, requiring IDR2,967.4tn ($235bn) in investment by the end of 2034.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announces reforms to the energy permitting process, aiming to stimulate investments and strengthen relations between the government and industry.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announces reforms to the energy permitting process, aiming to stimulate investments and strengthen relations between the government and industry.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is finalising a proposal to lift emissions caps for thermal power plants, amid a broader shift toward national energy security.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is finalising a proposal to lift emissions caps for thermal power plants, amid a broader shift toward national energy security.
The Pakistani government is releasing 2,000 megawatts of power to support the development of data centres focused on artificial intelligence and Bitcoin mining, as part of a strategy to attract foreign investment.
The Pakistani government is releasing 2,000 megawatts of power to support the development of data centres focused on artificial intelligence and Bitcoin mining, as part of a strategy to attract foreign investment.

Advertising