Guyana has been battling with this problem for a long time - perhaps too long - but has achieved only moderate success.

In the early 1960s the electricity supply situation was encouraging and optimistic, with an efficient and cheap supply and an aggressive rural electrification programme.

However, the situation began to dramatically deteriorate from the late 1970s because of several factors, and the power company was near collapse by the early 1990s.

Some valiant efforts from the Government averted a total collapse.

Nevertheless, the quality of service that was provided by the then State-owned Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC) remained unacceptable and this led to calls from all sections of the society for privatisation with the expectation that the electricity service would be improved.

Consequently, the Government took the initiative to privatise the company and was about to clinch a deal with SASK Power, a Canadian-based power company.

However, due to violent political demonstrations by the main opposition party, the company changed its intention, citing political instability here among the reasons for doing so.

Perhaps, had the agreement with SASK Power materialised, the electricity supply situation might have been in a healthier state today.

In another bid for privatisation, the Government entered into another arrangement and the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) emerged several years ago.

This has clearly not brought the anticipated results.

Undoubtedly, the frequent horrendous and prolonged blackouts of the past have been reduced, but not eliminated and there have been some improvements in customer service.

But overall the situation remains unacceptable.

While it is essential that the operations of the GPL become much more efficient and cost effective, the bigger problem has been the high cost of producing and transmitting power to the consumer.

There is therefore a need for the urgent development of alternative sources of producing electricity in the long-term, because of the continuing total dependency on imported oil for electricity generation.

Oil is of course subject to price fluctuations over which this country has no control and with the imminent threat of war in Iraq, importing countries have to consider the probability of higher fuel costs.

Fortunately, this country has an abundance of hydropower potential, and great scope for solar energy and wind power - all cheap and environmentally friendly.

Guyana has, however, been very lethargic in tapping and developing these sources.

There is need for a greater sense of urgency in this direction, especially considering that the industrial and manufacturing sectors lag so much behind.

And with the imminent end to preferential markets the competitive edge is the name of the game and a cheap and reliable source of power is a key factor in this process.

So, time is not in Guyana's favour.