1.5MW solar farm in Bartica will reduce fuel cost – PM
The new solar farm in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni – Mazaruni), will reduce fuel costs when operational, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips has said.
He made this comment during a visit to the solar farm, and also said the farm would aid in the transition from fossil fuel to greater use of renewable energy, thus reducing Guyana’s carbon footprint.
The Prime Minister is confident that the solar farm, which is in keeping with the Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, would aid in the overall development of the town.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips touring the 1.5MW solar farm at Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni–Mazaruni)
“It will also help with the expansion of business in this community, because you’ll have additional energy. It now becomes more attractive for investors to set up micro and large industries and commercial activities in Bartica,” Phillips is quoted as saying in a release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
The Prime Minister has said he is pleased with the progress of the 1.5MW solar farm, after an inspection on Tuesday. It is currently 90 per cent completed, and he expects it to be handed over to the Government within two months.
“We are satisfied, based on the briefing we received. This project is on schedule, and it is expected to be handed over to the Government of Guyana by June 1 this year,” he informed.
The solar farm, which will be connected to the Guyana Power and Light grid in Bartica, would reduce the cost of producing energy. At present, the cost per barrel of light fuel oil (LFO) is about US$159. To produce one megawatt of electricity per hour takes about 60 gallons of LFO, or approximately 1 ¼ barrels of LFO.
Right direction
Phillips also applauded the fact that 95 per cent of the workers are Guyanese. The solar farm, which costs about $600M, is being constructed by Farfan & Mendes Limited and SOVENTIX Caribbean S.R.L.
It comes under the renewable energy solutions for the hinterland, which is one of the components under the Energy Matrix Diversification and Strengthening of the Department of Energy programme, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
