Caribarena Antigua The Best Caribbean News Portal

**Phil** » 2011-12-17 00:11

On the Regional Government Securities Market, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s 180-day Treasury bill, auctioned today using the primary market platform of the Eastern Caribbean Securities
Exchange (ECSE), raised $8.72 million. A competitive uniform price auction methodology was used and the resulting discount rate was 6.50 per cent.
The Government was attempting to raise $20M.

**Anna** » 2011-12-16 23:55

180 MW for east timor cost 540,000,000 RMB or 3,000,000 per MW. 30MW for Antigua at 147,000,000 is 4,900,000 RMB per MW; 30MW at 300,000,000 RMB is 10,000,000 per MW. Which figure are you more inclined to accept, 30MW for 147,000,000 or 30MW for 300,000,000? Dont you see that something seriousely went wrong? That is a RAPE

**Anna** » 2011-12-16 23:46

I suggest that you stop making as ASS of yourself. Chinese plant came with no infrastucture. The government is now trying to borrow money to acquire the substation.

**Anna** » 2011-12-16 23:37

I believe what he wanted to say was foreign bank account.

**Anna** » 2011-12-16 23:36

I listened to the PM's explanation in parliament and couldn't believe my ears. The PM made a feeble attempt to explain but I got the impression that he himself was not convinced. He only listed the variable costs as total cost and even that was not complete. he also inflated the fuel cost for APC's engine. could somebody tell the PM that we need to see his sidework.

**Gues2** » 2011-12-16 22:37

There are lots more to a pwer plant than the engines. There is absolutely no way we could get a 30MWpower plant complete with all its INFRASTRUCTURE for 20M dollars. The attendant infrastructure can be as costly and sometimes more costly than the engines themselves. In this case, please consider the four fully reinforced concrete buildings, the tank farm, the water and wastewater treatment systems, the pipe line, the fuel delivery system, the chimney, cooling system and much more.

**tenman** » 2011-12-16 21:19

sorry meant 13.7 million usd

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**tenman** » 2011-12-16 21:11

MaeStro yes the PM wants us all to beleive that 17 million usd (46 million EC) went for foreign exchange deviations. The man has absolutely no respect for the intelligence of Antiguans & Barbudans. I suspect the truth lies in that the moneys were huffed for something other than the plant.

As far as your second question, I plan not to respond until i listen to his presentation again.
..

**Roger.l** » 2011-12-16 21:01

You sing quite well on the spin choir. 300million yuan at the current exchange rate of 6.3 to us $ is what? ;-)

Oh! and don't forget to add the next 28m yuan your friend sir xxxid negotiated.
For the transformers!

**MaeStro** » 2011-12-16 20:58

Did I just hear the PM say the difference in the amounts challenging the cost of the plant is possibly due to exchange rate?

Did I also hear the PM say it is better the pay more to produce the power with the chineese plant because it is our own?

**BEEF** » 2011-12-16 20:01

SEEMS AS IF YOU ARE DOING A VERY POOR JOB DEFENDING. I WONDER WHAT IT IS YOU ARE DEFENDING :-*

. Research this article: US$43.7M LOAN … to reduce APUA's dependence on Antigua Power Company; Friday June 27 2008: The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) expects to take possession of a new 30 megawatts electricity generating plant within two years, dramatically increasing the authority’s control over its own generating capacity.
Antigua and Barbuda yesterday signed a contract with the Export Import (EXIM) Bank of China for a loan of 300 million yuan, or the equivalent of US$43.7 million.

**Roger.l** » 2011-12-16 19:01

The facts remain why did we pay 52million for a 20m plant. The pm was putting apua,s spin on the facts. It all about chinese money and politics?
It's the same spin they use to justify buying the old bencorp building and a failing economy. But I guest you choir singers with sing the pm,s song and blame the world !
Poor Antigua.

**Guest2** » 2011-12-16 15:24

I hope that caribarena will publish the true figures about the power plants with the same zest that they published the false information earlier this week.

**Mystic** » 2011-12-16 11:17

Why another fossil fuel based genereator in the first place.Time to go renewable.
Antiguans, we were warned that there will be increases in electricity once those Chinese street lights are installed as they consume large amount of electricity which had to be paid for. It is beyond me why, in this 21st century, someone decided to have the Chinese installed these lights here. In China, they are now installing solar powered LED street lights. A year ago, i was in the Mid-East and can confirm that they are turning to these solar powered LED street lights. It was amazing flying over Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates ( Dubai and Abu Dhabi ) and marvel how bright these lights are. The brightness on their highways resemble that of a basket ball court, this is no joke. And fellow Antiguans, what really hurts is that these countries are rich and have an abundance of oil, yet they see the reasoning to turn to renewable energy. We need to put competent people in place when we are negotiating these things. Antigua is really in a bad way, we need leaders.

**Roger.l** » 2011-12-16 08:09

Why is the Chinese embassy so quite on this important issue. They need to investigate all players involved in the procurement of these engines?
Who made the loan drawdown? Our law state all loan dispersment must be done through the treasury!
Where de money gone?

**tenman** » 2011-12-15 23:35

Apologies they did not suggest coal as the They stated of alternative energy:
Quote:

Renewable Generation Potential: Wind is the most promising renewable resource for Antigua and Barbuda. A 2008 Energy Engineering Corp. report indicated that up to 400 MW of wind power can be developed on the islands, primarily on Barbuda. Solar PV potential is estimated at 27 MW of installed capacity, but bulk power development would not be economic based on current estimates.

..

**BEEF** » 2011-12-15 22:56

All I want to know is the terms and conditions of the recent power sharing agreement that was entered into. What is wrong with that? Why is that such a mystery. Shouldn't the public know. I am sure once that information is in the public the other concerns will fall right into place.

**Anna** » 2011-12-15 22:42

The current peak demand is 50MW and APUA has more than 119MW available on island. The rate of increase in demand over the last five years is not consistent with that 69MW forecast for 2015. There is more than enough redundancy, infact the capacity utilization is way below industry norm and is exerting upward pressure on cost.

**tenman** » 2011-12-15 21:50

Beef check this document for some answers Caribbean Regional Electricity
Generation, Interconnection , and Fuels Supply Strategy
Final Report done March 2010
www.caricom.org/jsp/community_organs/energy_programme/electricity_gifs_strategy_final_report_summary.pdf it from the world bank and projects by 2015 our peak demand will be 69 MW. Also note that another reason given by the government was we also needed backups for when some units were taken down for maintenance. Another argument was that though we were maxing at 54 MW, they were forced to have some persons use generators because we were at our max capacity. Please also note that page 1-27 states that the most cost effective fuel for Antigua and these plants is Coal.

..

**Roger.l** » 2011-12-15 21:41

It's strange that with millions lost on A Chinese engine,the high fuel cost and operational cost you still seem obsessed with Apc .
It's obvious that Apua knows the Chinese engines cannot be relied upon . Look they cannot even maintain the electric frequency or voltage!
But I guess the choir singers still have to sing for there beef. :lester:

**BEEF** » 2011-12-15 19:53

I think you got the following wrong. "According to the Govt Press release back in 06 when the signed with APC for 50 mwh. 17mw had to arrive in time for World Cup in 07 and the Bal in 08". The government contended in court (and won in 2 instances) that their deal was for 17mega-watts in the first instance and a second instance would become a reality based on A DECISION OF THE CABINET. Remember it took about two years to build the chinese plant. It makes no sense to me to enter into A 8 YEAR ARRANGEMENT TO PURCHASE POWER WHEN YOU KNOW YOU HAVE 30 MEGA-WATTS COMING IN A YEAR'S TIME. With the chinese 30 mega-watt plant, we would only have to purchase minimum power from a.p.c. during maintenance time etc. WHY IS THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT SUCH A STATE SECRET. I suspect that Antiguans would be and will be shocked as to the money involved in this new power-sharing arrangement. I have asked the question until I am tired and nobody is answering. THAT SEEMS NORMAL?

**Anna** » 2011-12-15 19:29

why should we purchase 1985 technology in 2008? do you realized that at 300 RMB or us $47 we are paying USD1.57 per MW of electricity without substation compared to APC's USD 0.89M per MW with substation? Do you realize that APC use 25000 gallons of fuel to produce 1MW of power compared to 53500 gallons for the chinese plant? Do you realize that we have to borrow additional funds to purchase substation? Why do you continue to be an apolagist for a corrupt and incompetent regime that is wrecking our country? may I suggest that you do some independent research to ascertain the facts for yourself? Get real! these people need to go.

**R.Harris** » 2011-12-15 18:17

According to the Govt Press release back in 06 when the signed with APC for 50 mwh. 17mw had to arrive in time for World Cup in 07 and the Bal in 08.
It seems as if the GOVT wasn't sure if the Chinese can deliver and hedged there bets playing both sides.
But you know Money Talks and the Chinese deal was too sweet to somebody. The question I have is why did it take the Chinese 5 years to deliver 30 mw vs APC 2 year and the high cost ?????

**Skyewill** » 2011-12-15 17:48

I can't understand why our negotiators do thes things to us. Where is the Love? I can tell you there is none for this country or it's people. As long as i put a few dollars in my pocket who cares if Antigua spend every penny on bubble gum. If they are used is important, JP Farnsworth. Old technology even if it still work waste fuel and is more expensive to run. I can believe that we were bated and switched. This is what the chinese do all the time. A good Caterpilla is what we needed. Made in the good old USA.

**BEEF** » 2011-12-15 14:39

Between the arrangement with A.P.C. pre-u.p.p. tenure, the 17 mega-watt before world cup and the 30 mega-watt from the chinese by my calculations we are at 74 mega-watts. By what I heard from an interview that is more than we need. Why do we need more power-sharing FOR 9 LONG YEARS? Why? Maybe it is me, but something does not seem right to me.

**tenman** » 2011-12-15 14:19

Vicnes on your statement of having an expert consultant, this is exactly what judge Don Mitchell stated when examining APUA. He stated this in connection to the Vortex engines they were thinking of purchasing. Its sad that after spending moneys on this investigation that such important recommendations are seemingly ignored. Its truly difficult to beleive that its all out of ignorance and not some plan to enrich only persons involved in the deal.

..

**jeb** » 2011-12-15 13:24

The Chinese are going to control the world if not stopped. They are doing it by financial manipulation and distributing their people hither thither and everywhere. For them to control Antigua in the very near future is easy…all it takes is money in the right places. They build junk and sell junk. One can see from their products that they are mostly substandard. A first glance at the so called street lights told the story that they are repainted antiquated ugly junk that appear to have a very short shelf life. Now that we know for sure that this generator is yet another case of ripping off the public big time, one has to wonder how much more it will take before the people unite and demand an election. I, personally, hate to think what sort of sub-standard construction the new/used products $300m airport that we do not need, will be like. Antigua just cannot go on like this and survive!

**the watcher** » 2011-12-15 13:00

The six plants were bought for $US 140,000 a piece.
Six Plants sold to Antigua for $US 47M. That was an excellent sales man doing that transaction.
Buddha Helps us ALL!

**Vicnes** » 2011-12-15 12:44

MP Robin Yearwood and Lester Bird controlled the government for 28 years and borrowed over a billion dollars. Never repaying any of the loans. Neither did they repay any of the earlier loans made by the VC Bird administration. This new loan like the others will never be repaid. So why is this big hypocrite wasting our time about government loans? He might as well be talking about Antigua sending a man to live on Mars.

Faraday's law is still the same. The commercial power generator technology has changed very little over the last 20 years. A 20 year old commercial power generator is still relatively new. Even a 30 year old heavily used generator can be reconditioned and updated to run just as good as a new one. The mistake made here is the same one made with every government project. You have idiots in government making decisions about things that they know nothing about. Who was the government expert power consultants? There weren't any. So it was business as usual.

**tenman** » 2011-12-15 12:19

Caribareba good job please keep it up. If only others would follow your example. @Beef you asking the right questions.
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**Fed Up** » 2011-12-15 12:06

Each Embezzling, All a'Tiefing, nothing changes !!!!

**Antiguan Woman** » 2011-12-15 10:44

This is more than a coma,this is like they are dead,we need a miracle form God to resurrect.Time for the UPP to go,they have no vision,no heart,they cant do anything right.ANTIGUA,W HAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?? Time to put force under these people,We need a new mandate.

**Mark.** » 2011-12-15 10:17

Apua was buying power from a company called agrego at that time for 3 x the current apc rate,due to the large diesel consumption. This agreement was running Apua into near bankruptcy. In apua court papers they admit still owning $million to Agrego.
Even now each time the Chinese engines Breakdown it's Apc power that has to carry the national load.

**Bongo** » 2011-12-15 10:10

Caribarena should get an A for effort but unfortunately there is too much missing information to come to any conclusion. Besides, this portal has become the mouthpiece of ALP . All I am saying is to provide more information so that people can come to a conclusion for themselves. The same goes for comparing the cost. I am not familiar with the APC contract so nobody can fool me and tell me one better than the other without looking at both. so If I borrow 10m and pay it back over 30 yrs at 10% the total amount paid back is over 31M. Can we get some figures?

**Antigua Bill** » 2011-12-15 10:04

Start investigating the airport project and other questionable contracts.

**microwave Chef** » 2011-12-15 09:58

Chef tips his hat, negrodamus predicted this one right.

so PLM and cool ruler maybe it is best you do not pad up and just retire hurt.
For Chef the question is no longer what went down her for it not all the facts are in , but rather what can we do about this one? Anyway Chef is deeply upset and feels violated .seriously are we just going stand by and talk while the UPP and her agents hold our beloved Antigua down so she can appear to be gang-raped and violated by the UPP's asian based "friends"?
NO Chef will not wait for all the facts to be in while the rape of Antigua and her people is in progress.
Don't bother look at the ALP to do something substantial, , why don't you do something about it , talk to your friends and neighbors and see how they feel about this and most of us feel the same way then let us finally do something. Real Leaders are desperately wanted in Antigua.

**observer Overseas** » 2011-12-15 09:47

In addition the APUA financial statements it would be great to see the APC power purchase agreement and the actual agreement signed with the chines contractor. I see no reason why these documents cant be made public. That would remove all the suspicions and accusations of corruption.

**Barry** » 2011-12-15 09:18

Inefficiect and dated street lights connected to inefficient and dated power plants can only add up to $$$$$$$ (taxpayers $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$)!

**observer Overseas** » 2011-12-15 09:18

Very good piece of work Caribarena....I look forward to the results of your investigations. Keep at it....We need to remove the veil of secrecy surrounding so much of government business. By the way, does anyone know how I can get hold of APUA financial statements? I tried APUA but that does not work.

**JP Farnsworth** » 2011-12-15 09:18

I love how people make things up in a way that almost makes them seem real. I especially love the remark "These might be the engines".
If the reporter did their homework then they would have reported that we hope these are the engines! Becuase with proper servicing these engines have been known to last over 60 years. If you have ever seen engines of this type before you would have known that. There are German made engines still in service from WWII. As for the contract I see a very broad over view and no details. I don't see one word about the service agreement? the cost of technical training. Just throw about figures with no facts. There is no such thing as a power plant engine that has a short life span. The nuclear plants in the US went up in the 60's that is 50 years ago. This is half way reporting, far from good. Get me some facts about the contract and stop giving me rounded up numbers. Political Banta Fodda.

**Harry** » 2011-12-15 09:16

The people of Antigua and Barbuda want to know what has happened to the money. We demand an account now!!!

**galileo** » 2011-12-15 08:01

this is so beautiful,this is how journalism suppose to be in the 21st century and going forward, investigate,res earch and dig out the facts,be the whistle blowers to uncover wrong and corruption and disclose hidden information from corrupt politicians for the general public awareness,guard ian of the democracy of a civilized society through free speech which comes with responsibilitie s.I hope other journalist will follow this trend and not just sit down waste air time with their talk shows and chat stupidness like serpent and co just attacking personalities when we have serious issues to deal with in this country.
Before 2004 observer was good in opposing the wrongs and digging out files to expose the previous govt,but now 91.1 is full of sh***t. journalism suppose to be always fair and wrong should never be condone.we need to move on positively.

**anna** » 2011-12-15 07:53

ARE the prople of Antigua and Barbuda In a coma? Are we going to sit idly by and watch and condone the rape and plunder of this country? Shame on us all if we do.

**c.tree** » 2011-12-15 07:10

So we could possibly have some very dated engines, 18 to 20 million US dollars un-accounted for...whats new..this is Antigua & Barbuda.....no shame.

**BEEF** » 2011-12-15 06:37

I applaud Caribarena.com in its investigation referred to in this article. That is what happens in a "free society". If there are questions, investigate them and get to the bottom of it. I have been trying FOREVER to get ANY MEMBER OF THIS GOVERNMENT OR ANY MEDIA PERSON OR ENTITY to give some answers on a question I have been asking and I would like to ask Caribarena to “investigate” this matter and report to the nation “since investigations” are being carried out. PLEASE FIND OUT WHY THIS U.P.P. GOVERNMENT WOULD ENTER INTO ANOTHER POWER SHARING AGREEMENT WITH A.P.C. ON OR AROUND OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER 2010, FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 YEARS, WHEN THE CHINESE PLANT WAS DUE TO COME ON STREAM ROUGHLY A YEAR AFTER AND THE CHINESE PLANT HAVING COME ON STREAM WOULD HAVE REDUCED OUR DEPENDENCY ON A.P.C. FOR ELECTRICITY? Enquiring minds would want to know. I will keep this post if in the event it is not posted. Thank you very much.

**eli** » 2011-12-15 05:13

Wow, this is a very sad article to read. Never mind the countless millions gone into thin air to receive some old technology. Just like the street lights which also are old technology, this generation plant isn't good for ANTIGUA's environment. It isn't the clean energy producer that we should have invested in right now.

**GoodJobBob** » 2011-12-15 04:23

The key word is "concessionary" . Unfortunately, that seems to be the only terms Antigua can accept.

**From the Side Line** » 2011-12-15 03:28

Caribearena, many thanks and stay on top of this issue. We might have found a rotten (Chinese)egg. I wonder is China is fast becomming corrupt. And is taking the place of the IMF and the World Bank. Saddling us up with debt that we can never repay. Sad the mess we leave behind for our children and their children, children

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