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Power Plant Price Comparison

L- MAN 48/60. R- MAN 32/40Caribarena.com has obtained documents showing that the announced value of the Wadadli Power Plant contract compares poorly with similar power generation packages offered by MAN Germany in 2008/2009.

The documentation comes in the form of a project estimate for a MAN Diesel 36.75MW power plant.
 
The proposal was sent to Caribarena.com by MP Robin Yearwood, following a pledge made on Wednesday April 18 during a telephone appearance on the Colin Sampson Show.


 
The price quoted in the project estimate for the total power generation package is 29 million Euros, or roughly US$38 million.
 
This is a far cry (some US$14 million far) from the US$52 million burden that has been laid on the backs of Antiguans & Barbudans by the Wadadli Power Plant contract.
 
In fact, the quoted price for the 36.75MW power generation project works out to be US$1,061,000 per megawatt.
 
At a cost of US$1,733,333 per megawatt, the Wadadli Power Plant cannot be said to represent a fair value.
 
The project proposal calls for three 12-cylinder MAN 48/60 diesel engines, each capable of supplying 12.25MW. The Wadadli Power Plant is designed to provide 30MW from six generators delivering 5MW each.
 
Rated at 48/60, the engines referred to in the proposal are clearly both more powerful and more efficient than the“12vMAN32/40” generator sets provided for in the Wadadli Power Plant contract.
 
By comparison, even with the addition of a seventh 12vMAN32/40 engine, the three 48/60 engines would still surpass the output of the Wadadli Power Plant by 1.75MW.
 
This means that using the technology and cost levels provided for in the Wadadli Power Plant contract, Antigua & Barbuda would have to spend almost US$64 million to match the output of the 36.75MW power plant.
 
On the other hand, using technology and costing methods more similar to the MAN Diesel 48/60 power generation project, 30MW might cost more in the region of US$32 million – US$20 million less than the present cost of the Wadadli Power Plant contract.
 
This comparison throws into sharp relief the wide gulf that separates PM Spencer, Ambassador Shoul, the Cabinet of Antigua & Barbuda, and the management of Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) from practically the rest of nation.
 
The comparison also serves to highlight the interest that Prime Minister Spencer might have in shielding the People's Republic of China (PRC) from the public embarrassment that would ensue from a disclosure of allegedly gross mishandling of the Wadadli Power Plant contract.
 
The loss of “face” to the PRC would be, to put it tactfully, severe. The Chinese Embassy has already shown itself to be rather excitable when it perceives that the pride and dignity of the PRC are being negatively affected. PM Spencer also has displayed a readiness to lend stalwart support to the Embassy in its efforts to protect the interests of the PRC.
 
Perhaps in return for such stalwart support, the PRC seems intent on pouring resources into the prime minister’s constituency of St John's Rural West, almost to the exclusion of any others.


 
In the meantime, the MAN Diesel 48/60 power plant price comparison can only serve to strengthen public perception that millions of United States dollars in value remain un-accounted for in the Wadadli Power Plant contract.
 
Tellingly, the MAN Diesel 48/60 engines, which can also run on heavy fuel oil (HFO), come equipped with SCADA (Supervision Control & Data Acquisition) systems that permit Man to monitor the performance of the power plant from its offices in Germany.
 
All ancillaries are provided for in the proposal, including the auxiliary transformer. Only service buildings (office, workshop, and storage) are excluded. Due note is taken of unknown ground conditions at the undetermined plant site which is, however, clearly in Antigua.
 
Finally, the MAN Diesel 48/60 generators would be housed in a “steel building with cladding” similar to the newer Antigua Power Company (APC), as opposed to the concrete structure sheltering the Wadadli Power Plant.
 
In the meanwhile, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and non-resident Ambassador to China David Shoul continue to resist all attempts by the media, the public at large, and the parliamentary opposition to elicit a credible response to the myriad of unanswered questions surrounding the Wadadli Power Plant.

See related stories:

Daniel’s Letter – The Fallout

ALP Transparent-See

Lone Wolf Group Accuses Spencer

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UPP’s Accountability and Transparency

Derrick Doubts Caribarena Photos

Lovell Roasted on Talk Show

Taking the Mickey Out of Spencer

Joseph Attacks Govt 'Dictatorship'

Cabinet Rejects Call for Inquiry

With Eyes Pressed Shut

More Support for MP Daniel

Bird Demands Answers About Power Plant Deal

No Voice Derrick - Serpent Charmed

MP Supports Daniel's Call

Daniel in the Lions Den

Daniel Demands Investigation into Chinese Power Plant

Shame and Outrage over Edwards' Commentary

Wrong Made Right

Money Talks - Power Plant Walks

Anti-Power Plant Pickets held in St John's

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PM Blasts Molwyn Over Power Plant

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Govt Promises Chinese Power Plant Answers

Another Unsettling Discovery at Power Plant

Bird To Seek Outside Advice on Power Plant

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Antigua Power Plant - No Straight Answers

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Yearwood Presents Figures on Chinese Power Plant

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9 Comments In This Article   

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RE: Power Plant Price Comparison

#9 H.N.I.C. » 2012-04-27 02:51

Considering the source of the information, did we really expect anything other than more fingers pointing at the government in wrong doing. Consider this. The IMF loaned us a sum of money and set regulations in place to ensure they get their money back. This means they watch how every cent is spent in this country. Do you think such large scale and barefaced theft could have gone undetected by the IMF? Has any one from the IMF raised an alarm about the deal? Maybe they did and I'm not aware. I say time and time again. I'm not against accountability, but this whole power plant issue has become a political witch hunt.
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H.N.I.C.

Just one question.....

#8 Confused?? » 2012-04-26 17:13

My one and only question is....I hope some one can answer....Is the 52 million the cost of the loan or the cost of the generators?
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Confused??

Whey de money gone?

#7 Dig It » 2012-04-26 12:52

Something is not right here? Why the "price quoted" in Germany is off at 14 million dollar compared to a small country like Antigua? We need full "disclosure" of the WPP, so the public could know "whey de money gone!" At this point, the only interest should be protected is the people of this country, who just "transperancy" of these contracts with the Chinese! It is time the PM and his "Great Negotiator" come clean and give the public every "unanswered" questions! To make matters worst, the PM didn't get "parliament approval" to further the "debts" of this country! He should be held to the fire for his actions\inactio ns in handling of this matter! Mr PM times if you have any inch of "patriotism" you would call an inquiry and see to it that your Non Resident Ambassdor fully operate in it! CA keep the good works up!
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Dig It

RE: Power Plant Price Comparison

#6 ANTIGUAN WOMAN » 2012-04-26 12:10

With all this evidence and Baldwin remains stone faced and resolute,Lovell still looking for IMF moneys,as if all is well.We are left with no other option than to run them out of office, if it must be by civil disobedience,so let it be,Antigua do not belong to Baldwin/shoul and the Upp.Time for action.
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ANTIGUAN WOMAN

David is the Man

#5 Judge Dredd » 2012-04-26 11:15

From the time the elections were over in 2004, David has had his puppet controls firmly in his hands, xanixulaxing PM BS. He has shown the Grays Farm man the type of life style he only dreamed about. BS is hooked.

My UPP sources are telling me that the rip off is in the vicinity of 25 million dollars. It should be fairly easy to determine, who got what. At least they won't be lonely in 1735. The boys there are looking forward to having xxxxx.
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Judge Dredd

I smell some jail time for corrupt officials

#4 galileo » 2012-04-26 09:16

jump high or jump low we are going to get to the bottom of this case, and who ever embezelled the ppls money is going down,spencer and shoul better come clean.
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galileo

De Real Observer

#3 Osbert R. Frederick » 2012-04-26 08:01

With all the information we have received on the Wadadli Power Plant, this government should have resigned a long time ago. "Only in Antigua" PM Spencer, it is clear there is a case at first sight against your government regarding this issue. You will have to anser sooner or later and for you and your cabinet, it would be better sooner rather than later.
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Osbert R. Frederick

Pain!

#2 ACLM » 2012-04-26 07:25

This revelation pains us all! I guess they expected all and sundry to remain silent? Thanks again CaribArena! You are the OUTLET" for these times!

PM BS and his colleagues need to call an inquiry or resign! The Chinese need to distance themselves from Ambassador Shoul or face the fallout - if and when it comes!

Where is Chandler and Namba and Cort and Quinn? They going along to remain in power? They all confiding in friends and family that they have nothing to do with the Power Plant issue and don't know anything about it...yet publicly they all have to "protect" their own selves.
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ACLM

RE: Power Plant Price Comparison

#1 dave » 2012-04-26 06:02

i am tired of this ,with the upp in office they would not do anything about this rip off.remember the upp came in to office saying who was going to jail,i dont think under the alp we had anything like this ,i hope they can handle the prison when they are out of power.care full what u wish for.
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dave

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Mr. Colin Sampson

 Mr. Colin Sampson is a Journalist and the host of "The Colin Sampson Show" on Caribarena TV 

 

 

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