GEA inks $1B agreement for hinterland solar power plants

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has entered into an agreement with Farfan & Mendes Limited and SOVENTIX Caribbean SRL for the execution of the engineering, procurement, construction ,and installation of solar photovoltaic power plants, including battery energy storage systems, for Bartica and Lethem.
The signing was held on Wednesday at the Office of the Prime Minister in the presence of Permanent Secretary Derrick Cummings; GEA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Mahender Sharma; Farfan & Mendes and SOVENTIX Alternative Energy Manager Martin Carto and GEA Project Coordinator Mfon Akpan.

Farfan & Mendes Limited and SOVENTIX Caribbean S.R.L were among eight companies – both local and international – which participated in the bidding process that commenced with the opening of bids on January 7, 2020.
Farfan & Mendes Limited and SOVENTIX Caribbean SRL have complied with all the requirements necessary for the execution of the project, inclusive of being substantially responsive to the terms and conditions of the bidding documents and also representing the lowest evaluated cost.
The total contract amount for the two solar PV farms at Lethem and Bartica is $1.098 billion. The duration for the completion of the two projects is estimated at 330 days.
This project falls under the renewable energy solutions for the hinterland – one of the major components under the Energy Matrix Diversification and Strengthening of the Department of Energy (EMISDE) programme funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The renewable energy solutions for the hinterland seek to address the energy diversification policy goals of the Government of Guyana, by increasing electricity access for the hinterland/rural areas with renewable energy solutions.
By the end of 2023, this programme will finance the investment in solar technology by providing a reliable electricity source for the expanding needs of power supply in the three hinterland townships currently relying on fossil fuel. This will involve the installation of three solar PV farms at Bartica (1.5 megawatts), Lethem (1.0MW); and Mahdia (0.65MW), totalling approximately 3.15MWs and implementation of a storage capacity to manage intermittence of these sources.
The GEA expressed its appreciation to all the companies involved in the bidding process and looked forward to their active participation during the upcoming bidding process for the Mahdia solar PV farm.