Govt looking to capitalise on landfill biogas for energy – Granger

As Guyana continues to move along its “green path”, the Haags Bosch Landfill site may soon be used to generate electricity. This was suggested by President David Granger who related that the gases emitted from the area aback Eccles, East Bank Demerara, could be used to provide power.

“One of the solutions to Haags Bosch is to ensure that we trap the gas that is being generated there and use it for electrical generation,” the President explained.

He made these comments on Saturday evening at the launch of the Demerara Bank’s fully solar powered Head Office at Camp Street, Georgetown, where he congratulated the company on making good on its 2015 pledge that it would have continued “to go green”.

“I am proud and I must congratulate the bank – not only taking up the challenge but on demonstrating leadership to other corporations in Guyana,” President Granger told the gathering that included bank executives, diplomats and a range of other officials.

Demerara Bank went fully solar at its Head Office on October 21, which meant that the services of electricity company, Guyana Power & Light (GPL) were no longer utilised. This move was praised by the Head of State who further pointed out that the country’s “clean energy revolution” is gaining momentum. On this point he encouraged other local companies and organisations to follow suit, stating that, “Guyana will move closer” to fully utilising renewable energy by 2025.

Chairman of Demerara Bank’s Dr Yesu Persaud boasted that his company’s all solar initiative has shown the world that a “small Third World country can do it”. He reiterated his mantra that “nothing is impossible”.

“Decide on what you want and go after it,” the Chairman encouraged.

In light moments, Dr Persaud took some time to single out older gentlemen like him who have served the country for a number of years. He humorously targeted GWI Chairman Dr Richard Van West-Charles but it was his light-hearted jab about Guyana being a “poor country” to pay Hamilton Greene’s pension that had the gathering in a brief moment of uproar.

“We together we can change this country, not only green but make it a prosperous place where our people will be proud of saying, when they travel overseas, that [they are] Guyanese,” Dr Persaud stressed at the event.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the company, Pravinchandra Dave explained that Demerara Bank is the first in the Caribbean to fully operate on solar power. He made reference to the April 22, 2016 Paris Climate Change Agreement that Guyana signed onto which aims to reduce gas emissions and foster Climate Resilient Development.

He pointed out in sentiments echoed by President Granger, that the country will achieve success if it focuses on capitalising on available resources such as wind, sun, water and fertile land. The CEO disclosed that G$775 million was spent on the 25,000 square foot building and noted that much planning went into its roofing design to accommodate the 360 solar panels.

The structure was designed to save costs and it uses LED lights and 52 Inverter ACs. There are also 216 batteries which will store power from the panels and will last up to three days without direct sunlight. There are also generators as a last resort that would be powered for two hours to recharge the batteries.

Dave explained further that nearly $28 million was spent on the panel and batteries but it will save in an energy cost of nearly $1.5 million per month.

President Granger, other officials and the media were granted a tour of the multimillion-dollar facilities. (Shemuel Fanfair)