US$17.8Million in grants signed for renewable energy, street lights

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Citizens can look forward to better-lit roadways, as much needed street lights will soon be installed on several streets across Guyana following the signing of US $17.8Million grants between the governments of Guyana and Japan.

The grants were signed today and handed over to the government at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Conference Room. These will be utilised for the introduction of renewable energy and the improvement of the power system in Georgetown and surrounding areas by enhancing substation and distribution equipment, as well as the establishment of a Photo Voltaic system and an energy management system at the CARICOM Secretariat.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, described the projects as crucial for the Green Agenda Initiative. “Both the project for the introduction of renewable energy and improvement of power system on one hand and the procurement of Light Emitting diodes will contribute significantly to our country’s green state initiative.”

Under Japan’s Non-Project Grant, US$1,330 was provided for the procurement of 10,865 Gamma LED lamps. Over 7,000 LED lamps will be installed along the major roads and highways and the remaining 2,000 in the communities across Guyana.

The consignment of 4,716 of these lamps was handed over to today and will be installed throughout the ten administrative regions shortly.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson said this venture is part of efforts to improve road safety.

“This transformation will impact the safer road initiative as well as the general public security of the areas. When we examine our accident score sheet it is evident that the majority of our serious and fatal accidents occur mostly at nights. The absence of street lights in many of these areas is seen as a major contributing factor,” Minister Ferguson said.

Further, the transition from High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lamps to Energy Efficient Lamps will result in 65 percent reduction in street lighting consumption annually, accruing significant savings which can go towards other developmental projects.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Guyana, His Excellency Mitsuhiko Okada stated that Japan fully recognises the vulnerability of small island nations and low-lying states in the Caribbean and will, therefore, render financial resources to develop resilient infrastructures.

By: Ranetta La Fleur.

Images: Kennyann Bacchus.

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