The People’s National Congress Reform/A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR/APNU) is demanding that the Government immediately disclose the details of ongoing negotiations with Turkish powership provider Karpowership, arguing that Guyana’s continued dependence on rented electricity generation exposes serious shortcomings in the country’s energy planning despite years of oil wealth and promises of transformation.
In a statement titled “Power Ships Are Docked, The PPP/C Is Sailing,” the opposition said growing public concern over the future of the powership arrangement reflects a broader crisis of governance, accountability and transparency.
“Across social media platforms, news commentaries, radio call-in programmes, and communities throughout Guyana, one question is being asked repeatedly: How can an oil-rich nation still be dependent on rented power ships to prevent blackouts?”
The controversy comes amid uncertainty over the future of contracts governing two Turkish powerships that currently supply 96 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. One 60-megawatt vessel is stationed in the Demerara River, while a 36-megawatt vessel operates from the Berbice River. Together, they provide a substantial portion of Guyana’s electricity demand and have been central to efforts to avoid widespread blackouts.
The powerships were introduced as temporary emergency measures. The 36-megawatt vessel was contracted in 2024 under a two-year arrangement between the Government and Urbacon Concessions Investments to bolster generation capacity while longer-term energy projects were being developed.
At the centre of the latest debate is a letter dated May 25, 2026 (seen below), sent by Karadeniz Powership Yasin Bey Company Limited and Urbacon Concessions Investments to Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar.
According to reports, the companies rejected a Government request for a 30-day extension after the existing agreement expired on May 21 and instead granted only a one-week extension while demanding that negotiations on commercial terms and pricing be concluded urgently. The companies stated that the “alignment and unification of the commercial terms and pricing structure across all country operations remain essential requirements for the continuation of the arrangement.”
The Government has since confirmed that negotiations are ongoing but has not publicly disclosed the terms under discussion. Public Utilities Minister Deodat Indar recently said efforts were focused on securing the best possible commercial rate while maintaining uninterrupted electricity supply.
Against that backdrop, PNCR/APNU said Guyanese are being kept in the dark.
“For years, Guyanese were promised that the Gas-to-Energy Project would deliver affordable, reliable electricity and transform the nation’s energy landscape. Instead, the country faces uncertainty about the extension of costly power ship contracts, while critical details remain hidden from the public.”
The opposition argued that the lack of transparency surrounding the negotiations has fuelled public concern.
“There is a glaring lack of transparency surrounding the power ship arrangement. Guyanese do not know the cost of any contract extension, whether higher rates are being paid, how long any new agreement will last, or what commitments have been made on behalf of taxpayers. These negotiations appear to have taken place behind closed doors, with little information being provided to Parliament or the public.”
The party also pointed to concerns over energy security and the possibility of blackouts if negotiations fail.
“Citizens are increasingly worried about the risk of blackouts. Families, businesses, students, internet-dependent workers, and public institutions have been forced to wonder whether power interruptions could occur due to uncertainty about a private foreign supplier. No modern economy can thrive when electricity security remains in question.”
The PPP/C administration has repeatedly pointed to the Gas-to-Energy Project as the long-term solution to Guyana’s electricity challenges. The project is expected to bring natural gas from the offshore Stabroek Block to Wales, West Bank Demerara, where it will be used to generate electricity and reduce power costs.
However, APNU said continued reliance on powerships suggests that promised reforms have yet to materialise.
“Power ships were introduced as a temporary measure. Yet years later, Guyana remains dependent on emergency generation arrangements while the promised long-term solutions continue to face delays.”
The opposition further questioned the financial implications of maintaining the arrangement.
“Taxpayers are rightfully questioning the financial burden of this arrangement. Billions of dollars are being spent on temporary measures while citizens continue to face rising living costs and businesses struggle with operational expenses. Guyanese deserve to know whether better and more sustainable alternatives were considered.”
PNCR/APNU also expressed concern that a significant share of the country’s electricity supply remains tied to a single foreign provider.
“Serious concerns have emerged regarding Guyana’s energy security. A significant portion of the country’s electricity supply is now tied to a single foreign provider. This raises important questions about national resilience and long-term planning.”
While acknowledging that the Government may argue the powerships prevented a more severe crisis, the opposition said emergency measures should not become permanent fixtures.
“The PPP/C will undoubtedly attempt to argue that the power ships prevented a more severe electricity crisis. However, preventing a crisis cannot serve as an excuse to perpetuate one. Emergency measures are meant to be temporary. Under competent leadership, they should evolve into permanent, sustainable solutions. Instead, Guyana appears trapped in a cycle of extensions, delays, and unanswered questions.”
The party is calling on the Government to publish the full terms of any extension agreement, disclose the total cost of the arrangement since its inception, provide an updated timeline for completion of the Gas-to-Energy Project, develop a national energy security strategy and subject major energy contracts to greater parliamentary scrutiny.
Summing up its criticism, APNU stated:
“The power ships are docked, but the PPP/C is sailing away from transparency, accountability, and the promises made to the Guyanese people.”
The statement comes at a time when electricity demand continues to rise across Guyana amid rapid economic expansion, placing increased pressure on an energy sector that remains heavily dependent on temporary generation solutions while awaiting the completion of major infrastructure projects.
