Govt committed to going green
– several hydropower plants, solar farms to be established
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, August 14, 2019
The Coalition Government is fully committed to Guyana developing a green economy and is taking all the necessary steps to ensure it becomes a reality.
Finance Minister, Hon. Winston Jordan disclosed that two will be constructed in Region 9, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo and another in Region 8, Potaro-Siparuni.
The minister was at the time being interviewed on VYBZ 100.1FM radio by broadcaster, Malcolm Ferreira, following the release of the Ministry of Finance’s mid-year report.
The Moco Moco hydro plant, which was dormant for some 16 years, will be rehabilitated. The Chinese-funded hydropower plant was commissioned on November 22, 1999, and was developed as a run-of-the-river project. Four years later, in July 2003, the penstock (a sluice for controlling or directing the flow of water) was damaged by a devastating landslide, resulting in a cessation of operations.
Minister of Finance, Hon. Winston Jordan briefing the media about the Half Year Economic Report
However, Minister Jordan said, once it becomes operational, it will help to power the Bina Hill Institute in Annai.
“That will help power the main school that caters to Indigenous children… So, once we get power, they can fully enjoy all the facilities similar to Georgetown, and that power will come from Moco Moco,” he stated.
There will also be the construction of several solar farms across the country.
According to the Finance Minister, “the $80M that the Norwegians have allocated for the Amaila Falls, they have now agreed to let us use that money for massive solar farms.”
Tenders will soon be out for the establishment of a solar farm in Bartica and the solar farm in Mabaruma, which is already constructed, will soon be operational, the minister noted.