The structural integrity of a nation’s development is tested not only by its revenue but by the transparency and accountability of its procurement and project management. Guyana’s ambitious Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project, a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to slash electricity costs and secure the nation’s energy future, has recently faced intense public scrutiny regarding cost overruns, project delays, and the nature of legal representation for the parties involved.
At the center of the recent discourse is the US$759 million contract awarded in December 2022 to the US-based consortium Lindsayca-CH4 to construct an Integrated Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant and a 300-megawatt power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara. The project, initially heralded as a transformative infrastructure deal, has encountered significant hurdles, leading to a multi-million-dollar dispute and raising questions about the oversight structure of the nation’s single most expensive project to date.
The Dispute and Financial Implications
Following extensive project delays and internal wrangling within the consortium, Lindsayca-CH4 initiated arbitration proceedings against the Government of Guyana before a Dispute Adjudication/Avoidance Board (DAAB). The dispute primarily centered on delays in accessing the site for land preparation and the costs associated with remediating defects related to the site preparation.
In January 2025, the DAAB issued two awards ordering the Government of Guyana to pay a total amount of US$102.7 million to Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc. According to the company’s financial records, a mediation agreement was subsequently executed in March 2025 to discuss and resolve the payment of the DAAB awards, resulting in an agreement for payment in installments. The contractor reported successfully collecting the first installment of US$34.2 million in 2025, with the remaining installments anticipated in 2026.
The financial trajectory of the GTE project underscores the critical need for rigorous cost-benefit analysis and transparent oversight. The initial contract value of US$759 million has been augmented by the US$102.7 million DAAB settlement, alongside other reported logistical expenses.
“The US$70,000 weekly figure is independently plausible and consistent with mid-range charter rates for a Hawker 800XP on the Houston–Puerto Rico–Georgetown route.”
Recent media reports have highlighted the use of private jets by consortium executives. According to Kaieteur News, executives have been flying weekly on a private Hawker jet from Houston to Georgetown via Puerto Rico, at an estimated cost of US$70,000 per week. If this practice has continued since October 2022, the cumulative cost would amount to approximately US$12.7 million in flight expenses alone. It is important to note that earlier commentary citing a “US$70 million” total for these flights appears to have been an extrapolation or error, as the original reporting specified a weekly rate of US$70,000. GBJ independently verified the plausibility of this weekly figure by calculating the flight route and cross-referencing it with published charter rates for a Hawker 800XP aircraft, arriving at an independent estimate of approximately US$72,900 per round trip.
Legal Representation and Oversight Concerns
The complexities of the GTE project are further compounded by the legal representation of the entities involved. Recent reports have highlighted the role of Devindra Kissoon, founding member of London House Chambers and President of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Guyana, in the project’s legal landscape.
According to Kaieteur News, Kissoon’s law firm, London House Chambers, assisted the Lindsayca-CH4 consortium in negotiating the GTE contract with the Government of Guyana. The firm’s website confirms its representation of CH4, stating that London House Chambers serves as their lead external law firm for representation in all commercial matters.
“The dual representation of both the foreign consortium and key government entities by the same legal counsel has prompted observers to raise concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest.”
Simultaneously, Kissoon and his firm have represented government interests in various capacities. Court documents filed in late March 2026 in the constitutional and administrative case Atlantic Golds Inc. v The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and The Minister of Natural Resources indicate that the Attorney General formally appointed Kissoon and London House Chambers as the attorneys of record for the Minister of Natural Resources. The Ministry of Natural Resources is the central government authority overseeing Guyana’s oil and gas sector, serving as a critical link to the GTE project.
Furthermore, London House Chambers acts as legal counsel for Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the state-owned utility that serves as the ultimate off-taker and distributor of the electricity to be generated by the Gas-to-Energy project. Kissoon has also served as the personal lawyer to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, notably securing a reversal at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in early 2024 in a libel suit filed by former Minister Annette Ferguson.
The Path Forward
The Gas-to-Energy project remains a vital component of Guyana’s economic strategy, promising to significantly reduce electricity costs and unlock vast potential for industrial and manufacturing growth. However, its success cannot be measured solely in megawatts generated; it must be evaluated by the integrity of its execution and its contribution to genuine human infrastructure.
As construction accelerates at Wales to meet the revised mid-2026 deadline, the government and its partners face the imperative of ensuring that major infrastructure projects operate within a framework of rigorous accountability and transparent procurement. Addressing the concerns surrounding cost overruns and legal oversight is essential for transforming the nation’s resource wealth into enduring national prosperity.
References
- Kaieteur News. “Conflict of interest erupts in Gas-to-Energy debacle: Govt and contractor sharing same lawyer.” April 21, 2026.
- Guyana Business Journal. “The Architecture of Accountability Procurement, Priorities, and the Gas-to-Energy Project.” April 7, 2026.
- Stabroek News. “Deal inked for US$759m gas to energy plants.” December 14, 2022.
- Kaieteur News. “‘GOVT. EXPOSED’ — Govt. ordered to pay Wales gas project contractor US$102M as settlement.” April 15, 2026.
- London House Chambers. “CH4.” Accessed April 21, 2026.
- London House Chambers. “Guyana Power and Light.” Accessed April 21, 2026.
- Caribbean Court of Justice. “CCJ Grants Jagdeo’s Appeal in Ferguson Libel Matter.” January 19, 2024.
- Guyana Business Journal. “From Early Studies to Urgent Push: The Full History of Guyana’s Gas-to-Energy Project.” December 16, 2025.
- Kaieteur News. “Gas plant contractor draining US$70,000 from Guyana weekly on luxury flights.” April 7, 2026.
Unsolved Murders in Guyana: A Statistical Overview