Solar energy for more state buildings – Mahender Sharma.
DPI, Georgetown, Guyana, Monday, November 27, 2017
In keeping with government’s commitment to a green economy, Head of the Guyana Energy Authority, Mahender Sharma says more state buildings are to be outfitted with solar energy.
“I can tell you that at this very moment the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) with the support of the Government of Guyana is installing solar panels on 57 government buildings. By the end of 2017, more than three megawatts of new solar power will be installed in Guyana, an unprecedented feat,” Sharma said.
Head of GEA, Mahender Sharma addressing participants of the Caricom Energy Walk.
In addition, Sharma said that the energy agency continues to be proactive in the development of sustainable energy alternatives for the nation’s benefit.
“Solar is not the only hope. You know of sustainable energy, you know of the importance of energy efficiency, you know of the wind power and many things that are happening on that front. We are working with private developers, we are measuring wind speeds, we are looking at hydropower, the small ones, the medium ones, the big ones and the very big ones,” the Head of the energy agency added.
In mid-2017, a GYD$14 million contract was awarded to the German-based MEECO Group, along with its Guyanese joint venture company, for the supply and installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system at State House.
The procurement of the contract was done by GEA and the local joint venture company, Oursun Guyana.
At the time of award, MEECO said excess power from the installation would be supplied to the national grid. “By supplying the excess energy not needed for internal consumption directly to the grid, the State House contributes to fostering the expansion of a sustainable national energy supply,” MEECO said.
Sharma was at the time making remarks at the end of the Regional Energy Kilo-walk organised by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Energy Programme, to mark Caricom Energy Month. Energy month is being observed under the theme ‘Re-Thinking Energy – Shaping a Resilient Community: Walk the talk’
By: Kidackie Amsterdam
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