National Park lit with solar lights

DPI, Guyana, Monday, April 29, 2019

Last Friday, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), through a collaboration with the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) under the High Commission of Canada, commissioned solar powered lights that were installed in the National Park.

Speaking at a small ceremony held under the benab of the children’s playground, High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee lauded the project. “I’d like to commend the Guyana Energy Agency for spearheading this initiative to illuminate public spaces with solar powered LED lights. It is innovative and it is the future of clean energy sources.”

The event also saw calls being made for society to get involved in adopting clean energy systems. “We want to see other entities taking the initiative, looking at what we have done and exemplifying it in their own ways,” Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Energy Agency, Mahender Sharma.

Deputy Commissioner of Protected Areas Commission, Denise Bentinck

[In the photo, from left to right] Security Manager, Mark Lewis, Deputy Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, Denise Bentinck, High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Lilian Chaterjee, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma

The CEO reflected on the works that the agency, which falls within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, has done. “By the end of 2019, we would have installed solar panels on more than 240 government buildings in the last three years alone. [That equates to] more than 4 megawatts of new solar PV [photovoltaic] installed on the rooftops of our government buildings.”

Nevertheless, citing increased demand by patrons to use the park beyond daylight hours, Deputy Commissioner of Protected Areas Commission, Denise Bentinck praised the advantages of the project, explaining it will “enhance security monitoring and sporting activities which go beyond the twilight hours… The National Parks Commission will continue to collaborate with its partners to undertake future enrichment projects”. In her remarks, Bentick revealed there will be 25 solar powered lights installed in the Botanical Gardens shortly.

This solar project is part of the Coalition Government’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS): Vision 2040 that aims to transition the country to a green state. The project also part of fulfilling the government’s obligation to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal #7, that ensures access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Shaquille Bourne

Images: Jules Gibson