Solar-powered bus sheds, more energy efficient lighting in 2017-GEA’s CEO
GINA, GUYANA, Thursday, January 05, 2016
During 2017, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) will construct six solar-powered bus sheds which will be equipped with light-emitting diode (LED) lights, and charging ports for mobile devices.
A solar system installed at the Shulinab Youth Centre, Region Nine by the Guyana Energy Agency during 2016
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), GEA, Dr. Mahender Sharma said that one of those sheds will serve a dual purpose by providing solar power for the lighting of the Independence Arch at Agricola.
Dr. Sharma made this statement yesterday at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s year in review at Transport and Harbours Sports Complex at Thomas Lands, Georgetown.
Dr. Sharma explained that the initiative is in keeping with the Government’s commitments towards “greening” the economy, in recognition of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Government has made a budgetary allocation of $1 billion to implement a series of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in 2017. The renewable energy programme for 2017 will entail the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on the rooftops of about 64 government buildings and a solar photovoltaic farm for the town of Mabaruma,” Sharma explained.
Additionally, Dr. Sharma related that the agency will also continue efforts in researching and deploying energy efficient lighting technologies
One of the bio-digesters repaired and re-operationalised by the Guyana Energy Agency during 2016 at the Kwakwani Secondary
with the installation of 20 solar-powered street lights at Agatash, Bartica, 100 energy efficient LED street lights at Timehri Base Road and the purchase of 600 photo sensors to replace defective units on existing street lights.
“The work plan for 2017 builds on the agency’s experiences and is designed towards ensuring the vision of a Green Economy by providing reliable energy that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable for all in Guyana,” Dr. Sharma explained.
Further, in 2017, the Agency will continue to manage, facilitate and monitor fuel imports. Licencing activities of the various fuel installations across the country and related inspections will continue.
The Fuel Marking and Testing Programme, administered by the GEA to counter the smuggling of fuel will also continue.
Some of the illegal fuel seized during 2016 by the Guyana Energy Agency
According to Dr .Sharma, in 2016, the agency successfully conducted more than 14,545 site visits where more than 35,600 fuel samples were collected and tested and seized 20,925 gallons of illegal fuel. Currently seven fuel smuggling prosecutions are ongoing before the Courts.
Sharma underlined that other successes from the GEA during 2016 include the agency completing energy consumptions assessments of 22 buildings and effected energy efficient lighting change-outs and installations at six schools. It also supported ministries, including Education and Finance.
The CEO stated that the GEA’s vision is to provide a reliable supply of energy, at the lowest costs possible, in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable framework for all in Guyana.
By: Ranetta La Fleur