For months, energy sector analysts in Suriname have pushed for expanding electricity generation capacity across the country’s national EPAR grid, backing proposals including a new thermal power station in Bruynzeel and large-scale solar energy paired with battery energy storage systems (BESS). While these capital investments are widely recognized as critical to meeting growing domestic power demand, one veteran industry expert argues that new generation alone will not solve the country’s persistent blackout crisis.
Samuel Mehairjan, a master’s-qualified electrical power engineer with 38 years of experience across generation, transmission, distribution and system management in the power sector, warns that even with new power plants and solar parks connected to the grid, EPAR will remain vulnerable to rotational loadshedding without three core upgrades: centralized grid management, adequate operating reserves, and a skilled, supported workforce. As more distributed generation sources come online, the need for coordinated real-time grid control becomes ever more urgent, Mehairjan explains.
Power demand fluctuates continuously throughout the day, solar output varies with weather conditions, and generators can fail unexpectedly at any time. For this reason, state utility NV EBS needs constant, real-time visibility into three key metrics: current grid load, available generation capacity, and the volume of fast-acting reserves that can be deployed within milliseconds to offset unexpected shifts. To address this gap, Mehairjan is calling on NV EBS to urgently launch a feasibility study for a modern central Load Dispatch and Coordination Center.
Existing SCADA systems and generator control infrastructure already in place across EPAR provide a solid foundation for this upgrade, Mehairjan notes. Adding a dedicated energy management system would leverage real-time data and demand forecasts to support grid operators in deploying generation resources more effectively. Commercial platforms such as Wärtsilä’s GEMS and ETAP’s Power Plant Controllers (EPPC) serve as proven examples of this technology, with individual plant and substation controllers designed to communicate seamlessly with the central grid management system.
This project is far more than just a software purchase, Mehairjan emphasizes. NV EBS also needs to formalize clear operational protocols: defining authority for controlling individual power plants, mandating minimum reserve requirements that must be maintained at all times, and outlining contingency plans for communication or equipment outages. While accurate demand forecasts help plan for hours and days ahead, real-time grid data is the only reliable guide for moment-to-moment operations. When implemented correctly, this coordinated system also allows for more cost-efficient deployment of generation capacity without compromising supply reliability.
Critics often blame rising consumer demand for frequent blackouts, but Mehairjan argues that it is NV EBS’s core responsibility to forecast demand, plan for adequate generation and reserves, and clearly communicate to the public when loadshedding cannot be avoided. With improved data measurement, forecasting and planning, the utility can pinpoint root causes of outages and address them systematically. The end goal, Mehairjan says, should be to fully eliminate loadshedding from Suriname’s energy system, rather than accepting it as an unavoidable condition dependent on individual decision-making.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) have a major role to play in supporting this transition, Mehairjan confirms. When sudden shifts in demand or generation occur, purpose-built batteries can quickly inject or absorb power to stabilize the grid, supporting frequency and voltage regulation while buying time to bring additional generation resources online. However, he cautions that batteries are not a silver bullet: they cannot prevent every outage and do not solve structural gaps in overall generation capacity.
As an example, a 50 MW/100 MWh BESS can deliver full power for roughly two hours, and whether this sizing is appropriate for EPAR can only be determined through a full technical and economic grid study. Preliminary cost estimates of $8 million for grid control infrastructure and $75–80 million for a 50 MW/100 MWh BESS should only be treated as rough benchmarks, Mehairjan says. A reliable cost projection requires a full detailed project plan that accounts for grid connection, safety systems, construction, maintenance, staff training and all other related costs. Districts such as Nickerie will also require separate assessments to determine their unique control and storage needs.
Above all other infrastructure investments, the most critical investment Suriname can make is in its energy workforce, Mehairjan argues. Grid operators, technicians and engineers require comprehensive ongoing training, regular practice with emergency outage scenarios, and access to clear protocols, high-quality tools and spare parts. Policymakers and utility leadership must listen to the technical insights frontline workers provide, ensure safe working conditions, adequate staffing, fair compensation and clear pathways for professional growth. Even the most advanced power plant cannot deliver the reliable power Suriname needs without skilled workers who feel valued in their roles, Mehairjan stresses, adding that political actors should not drive competent, trusted workers out of the energy system.
NV EBS leadership also carries clear responsibility for this transformation. As a public utility providing an essential 24/7 service, the company requires leaders who understand the technical implications of their decisions, plan proactively for long-term needs, and give technical professionals the autonomy they need to do their work effectively. Regular consultation with generation providers including Staatsolie, frontline workers and their representative bodies is essential to align plans for new capacity, scheduled maintenance and projected demand well in advance.
Mehairjan’s closing call to action is clear: Suriname must expand generation capacity while simultaneously modernizing EPAR’s grid control and operational management. He urges NV EBS to take centralized leadership of the project, starting immediately with a comprehensive grid study and a concrete implementation plan. Only through this integrated approach can new capital investments deliver the predictable, reliable electricity supply that Suriname’s population and economy need.