Government advances  “Green Agenda”

DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, August 09, 2017

A contract for the procurement and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on 57 government buildings, including schools and ministries, with a total capacity of 0.74 Mega Watts was awarded in the first half of the year. This is in keeping with the government’s’ stated policy of achieving a green economy.

According to Ministry of Finance mid-year report, some of these systems have been installed during the first half of 2017, while the remainder will be installed and operationalised by year-end.

Additional systems are also expected to be purchased to service more government buildings in the second half of the year, which, together with those already acquired, will generate over 1.44 MW of clean energy. These installations are anticipated to result in more than $150M savings per year, with approximately five years slated as the payback period.

To complement the solar PV initiative, an energy efficiency programme is underway, with over 2,300 Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights and over 280 occupancy sensors installed in the first half of the year, across five schools and the Ministry of Finance.  In addition to this initiative, over 10,000 more LED lights and 4,000 occupancy sensors will be installed before the year-end. To further reduce the load on the power grid 5,000 energy efficient street lights are also being procured.

Additionally, to promote the stability and reliability of the existing power grid, $1.38B has been advanced for the rehabilitation of 328 kilometers of low and medium voltage distribution networks in the first half of the year.

Works to improve power service delivery to approximately 22,000 customers of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Incorporated along with rehabilitation of an additional 580 kilometers of the distribution network are slated for the second half of the year.

The push for green transformation of the economy led to the development of the country’s first solar farm which will service residents in Mabaruma.

The procurement process for the farm, is underway and expected to be completed in the third quarter of the year. The administration is also resuscitating the drive towards hydropower as a preferred source of clean and renewable energy.

The report also stated that work is on-going to develop a proposal for the rehabilitation of the Moco Moco hydropower plant, with the aim of encouraging full private sector participation.

Meanwhile, the preparatory works will advance for the construction of a 300-kilowatt hydropower plant at Kato.

 

By: Neola Damon