Caribbean must work towards renewable energy – Bharrat

Combating climate change and managing ecosystems for future generations has led to calls from Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat for the Caribbean to adopt renewable energy policies and other sustainable efforts.
The Caribbean Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the University of Guyana’s 22nd biennial conference brings into focus the necessity of renewable energy and the environment in order to tackle climate change and manage ecosystems. It rounds up talks on how science and technology can be used to achieve sustainable development.
In his feature address, Minister Bharrat pointed out that like any other Caribbean country, Guyana is not excluded from any climate-related issue. As such, he noted that it is incumbent upon leaders to establish a greener region, by reducing the use of fossil fuels.
While it is a monumental feat to be achieved, it was positioned that Guyana is committed to making this a reality.

“If every country and island in the Caribbean community uses more renewable energy, we will have a greener, cleaner and stronger Caribbean. However, like any other Caribbean country, Guyana still has a far way to go with regards to the use of renewable energy since it is not cheap and cannot be easily accessed by the average citizen. This shift will not be easy but we are committed as a Government to working assiduously to achieve a greener country,” he told the panel during Monday’s opening ceremony.
He went on to say that advancement in science, technology and innovation has made it easier to take on a renewable approach to energy generation and consumption.
“The use of more renewable energy is inextricably linked to us achieving our sustainable development goals. With the use of technology, alternative sources of energy that are environmentally friendly have been created, such as biomass, geothermal resources and hydropower. The use of renewable energy not only saves the environment but also helps us as a nation to achieve sustainable development.”
In terms of renewable energy sources for Guyana, the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project is in the making. When it comes to the scope of work, the project entails the construction of a 165 MW installed hydro dam, plant and related works, as well as transmission lines and structures from Amaila Falls in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) to Sophia, Greater Georgetown.
Some 230 kV substations in Linden and Sophia, as well as a 23 square km storage reservoir are also needed. The revival of the 165-megawatt project was one of the promises made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic in its manifesto.
Over the past seven years, Guyana has saved some $488 million in energy costs, with the installation of solar panels on Government buildings across the country as it moves closer to sustainability.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Mona Geoinformatics Institute at the University of the West Indies, Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee noted that Guyana’s oil windfall will create opportunities for advancement in the sciences.
“Right now, Guyana is having an oil bonanza and your oil bonanza is going to create multiple cross-science multi-disciplinary opportunities in the geosciences, economics, mathematics, planning and so on. Of course, you have vast natural resources there in Guyana.”
He added, “Climate change is an opportunity. We as a region are a collection of sovereign Small Island Developing States and Guyana and Belize. We’re close to the US and Canada. There are opportunities there for science and scientists. There’s also another opportunity that we should harness and that’s the entrepreneurial university concept that is sweeping the globe where universities can embrace business concepts and techniques in order to become more impactful.”
He cautioned that oil can bring risks and threats to science, which should be addressed in a sensible approach.
“More insidiously, you have the rise of popularism and anti-science and that’s a cause for concern. We have to push against that. We have to guard ourselves and be formidable opponents to those who are messing up the products of humanity. COVID-19 is also a threat.” (G12)