{"id":186873,"date":"2026-09-07T08:09:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T11:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/submitted-a-critical-perspective-on-loadshedding\/"},"modified":"2026-09-07T08:09:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T11:09:37","slug":"submitted-a-critical-perspective-on-loadshedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/submitted-a-critical-perspective-on-loadshedding\/","title":{"rendered":"Submitted: A critical perspective on loadshedding"},"content":{"rendered":"

A<\/span>round 25 August 2026, reports appeared in the media that loadshedding, or rotating power outages, had to be taken into account in the EBS-EPAR supply area. According to energy specialists Samuel Mehairjan and Priyel Tedjoe, society has been insufficiently informed about the technical and organisational causes of the shortage. They advocate greater transparency, concrete investment plans and a structural expansion of generation capacity.<\/p>\n

The EPAR grid covers the districts of Paramaribo, Wanica, Para, Brokopondo, Commewijne and Saramacca, as well as part of Coronie. The network supplies electricity to the majority of households, institutions and businesses in Suriname. The warning of possible power outages has therefore caused considerable public concern.<\/p>\n

Questions subsequently arose about the shortage of available generation capacity and the development of electricity consumption. In our view, some of the explanations given on this matter are incomplete or insufficiently substantiated.<\/p>\n

Need for clear information<\/h2>\n

Electricity consumers expect the competent authorities to provide a proper analysis and explanation, coupled with advice on what they should and can do. In addition, they expect an indicative outage schedule with time slots and current updates, so that it is clear when and in which neighbourhoods people may be left without electricity.<\/p>\n

The information provided has offered insufficient insight into the technical and organisational causes of the shortage. The government, the Ministry of Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen, the Energie Autoriteit Suriname (EAS), the Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS), the Suriname Energy Chamber and the SPCS have not provided a joint explanation supported by operational data that could offer sufficient insight and confidence.<\/p>\n

The blame for the power outages has been wrongly assigned. The population was reproached for consuming too much electricity. It was also stated that insufficient public funds had been made available for investments in previous years.<\/p>\n

Why do authorities do this? We have listened to the discussions and explanations with considerable discomfort. Public communication has placed strong emphasis on increased electricity consumption and insufficient emphasis on the structural availability of production capacity. Much information has remained vague, incomplete or not publicly verifiable.<\/p>\n

Questions about planning and investments<\/h2>\n

Many questions can be asked. To what extent did the EBS, the EAS, the ministry and the government implement the established Electricity Sector Plan (ESP) in a timely manner?<\/p>\n

Where are the energy reports containing annual figures and realistic growth scenarios? The EAS must make these publicly available. Where are the companies\u2019 annual reports and operational performance data? Staatsolie does publish its annual reports. Where are the annual and monthly plans?<\/p>\n

Did the authorities not foresee three, two or one year ago that the available generation and reserve capacity would become insufficient to meet growing electricity demand?<\/p>\n

How many millions of US dollars were invested in the energy sector between 2015 and 2026, and what was that money spent on? Were the investments made on the basis of the right priorities? Why do shortages still exist?<\/p>\n

How much additional generation and reserve capacity must become available over the next four years, using which technologies and at which locations? Were maintenance, operations and necessary replacements carried out on time and adequately? The Ministry of Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen and the EAS bear supervisory and policy responsibility in this regard.<\/p>\n

Transparency on available capacity<\/h2>\n

These questions have so far not been answered with sufficient specificity and verifiability. There are weak links in the system. It is unclear whether the organisations involved have sufficient technical, financial and implementation capacity.<\/p>\n

Society must not be confronted with loadshedding without a full, consistent and verifiable explanation. Public statements must be factual, complete and supported by operational data. Due to the lack of transparency, public confidence in certain individuals and institutions risks declining further.<\/p>\n

Disclose how much capacity is unavailable and to what extent deferred maintenance, staff shortages or insufficient financial resources play a role. Show what the available resources have been spent on and have an independent assessment made of whether investments were carried out efficiently and according to the right priorities.<\/p>\n

Publish the annual plan and explain which components have been approved, rejected, implemented or delayed. Let the government present an energy investment plan, including an associated implementation plan and periodic progress reports, to parliament.<\/p>\n

Population bears the consequences<\/h2>\n

The current situation gives the impression that the authorities involved, the government and parliament did not take the necessary decisions and measures in time. The population is now left to bear the consequences: households and businesses are carrying the social and economic burden.<\/p>\n

Two weeks later, it has still not been explained to society that the loadshedding has ended for the time being. Remarkably, the power outages stopped immediately after the completion of planned work on a substation at a power plant.<\/p>\n

This may indicate that this work and the related temporary limitation of the electricity system played an important role. However, the responsible authorities have provided no further explanation. Rather than being open, they prefer to point to parliamentarians and others. This contradictory and poorly substantiated communication costs the authorities involved credibility.<\/p>\n

National energy plan needed<\/h2>\n

In the short term, a summary is needed of all well-researched plans, translated into financing, a timeline and the available implementation capacity. Discuss those plans widely, have them approved, seek the necessary resources and implement them. Then inform society about what will happen and what it may expect.<\/p>\n

One possible scenario is to determine the technically and economically most suitable location in or around the EPAR area for the installation of thermal generation units. This could involve so-called RICE units: Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines.<\/p>\n

Through a transparent tender procedure, it should be determined how quickly suitable suppliers can produce and ship 60 to 80 megawatts of generation capacity for the EPAR grid. Possible locations are Mari\u00ebnburg, Paranam, Jarikaba, Kwatta, Livorno and the Saramaccastraat. A clear choice must be made on this.<\/p>\n

For the ENIC area, 5 to 10 megawatts could be considered. For the remaining districts and the interior, approximately 15 to 35 megawatts could be realised with smaller generators. Facilities for the electricity grids will also have to be put in place.<\/p>\n

Investment of millions of dollars<\/h2>\n

Clear Terms of Reference (ToR) must be drawn up. Financing must then be sought and public tenders organised. Subsequently, a final decision must be taken and reliable contracts concluded. Implementation may take two to five years.<\/p>\n

These are short-term solutions that must be started immediately in order to ease the need. The population will then know that its interests are being seriously addressed.<\/p>\n

The costs are provisionally estimated at approximately USD 180 million to USD 240 million, spread over five years and possibly covered through financing. This does not mean that the government must immediately make the full amount available.<\/p>\n

From 2028, oil revenues and tax revenues are expected to come in. Together with revenues from the sale of electricity, these may possibly cover part of the investment and financing burdens.<\/p>\n

Investing in green energy<\/h2>\n

In addition to the thermal expansion plan, obstacles can simultaneously be removed to realise green-energy projects in all districts through transparent tenders and amendments to energy legislation.<\/p>\n

For Nickerie, approximately 5 megawatts of additional solar capacity could be considered, combined with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Approximately five hectares of land are needed for this. The provisional investment is estimated at around USD 13 million.<\/p>\n

Private developers can implement this project, possibly through a public-private partnership and supported by a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).<\/p>\n

For the EPAR grid, 100 MWp of solar parks can be realised, also in combination with battery storage. How much storage capacity is needed and for what duration depends on the load profile, the evening peak and grid stability requirements. This still needs to be calculated.<\/p>\n

An estimated 110 hectares of land are needed for this project. The investment may amount to approximately USD 180 million. This too can be implemented privately or through a public-private partnership, with long-term PPAs as a basis.<\/p>\n

For the remaining districts and villages, 25 to 50 megawatts of distributed solar systems with battery storage could be considered. A total of approximately 50 to 100 hectares of land are needed for this. Investments are estimated at USD 50 million to USD 120 million.<\/p>\n

Energy from bio-waste<\/h2>\n

In Nickerie, available and suitable bio-waste can be converted into electricity. Approximately four hectares of land are needed for this, and the investment is provisionally estimated at around USD 20 million.<\/p>\n

This project can be implemented by private developers or through a public-private partnership, supported by a long-term PPA.<\/p>\n

The stated capacities and investment amounts are indicative estimates. They must be validated on the basis of feasibility studies, grid studies and market consultations.<\/p>\n

In addition, experts can work on medium- and long-term energy plans and on possible transmission connections with neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n

Only by getting to work with competent and honest people can lack of credibility, doubt, continued questions of blame and interruptions to the electricity supply become a thing of the past.<\/p>\n

Samuel Mehairjan M.Sc. is an Electrical Power Systems Engineer and has 39 years of experience in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.<\/p>\n

Priyel Tedjoe MSc is a Power Systems Specialist and has international experience with electricity systems and high-voltage substations.<\/p>\n

Submitted by Samuel Mehairjan M.Sc. and Priyel Tedjoe MSc<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Experts warn of insufficient transparency and investment regarding the threat of loadshedding in Suriname, and advocate for a clear energy investment plan with clear communication to society.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":186758,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_29234516172805655_1309923202201307":"","facebook_29234516172805655_1158244960706604":"","facebook_29234516172805655_1093738170500407":"","facebook_29234516172805655_108923581283702":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[18427],"tags":[21184,20570,21185],"class_list":["post-186873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-submitted-articles","tag-ebs-epar-supply-area","tag-loadshedding","tag-power-purchase-agreement"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=186873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/186758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=186873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=186873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keynews.sr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=186873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}