Suriname - Energy and power

Electricity, primarily for industry, is supplied by the 189 MW hydroelectric power station at Afobaka, south of Brokopondo. The plant, which was built by Alcoa, is owned and operated by the Suriname Aluminum Company (Suralco). Suriname's energy sector and bauxite industry are closely linked. Suralco also owns and operates a 47 MW oil-fired turbine plant. Total installed generating capacity was 389 MW in 2001. Total production in 2000 was 1.4 billion kWh, of which 35.8% was from fossil fuels and 64.2% from hydropower. Consumption of electricity in 2000 was 1.3 billion kWh.

Gas and electricity for the city of Paramaribo are supplied by the Overseas Gas and Electric Co. Electric service throughout the rest of the country is the responsibility of the Ministry of Local Government and Decentralization. In 1992, the government-owned oil company Staatsolie completed construction of a 60-km (37-mi) pipeline between the oil fields and distribution facilities. Staatsolie is also seeking joint venture partners to conduct exploration and eventual exploitation of oil reserves in western Suriname. Oil production in 1998 was 7,000 barrels per day, compared with 4,500 barrels in 1990.