Govt signs agreement with Int’l Solar Alliance

…aims to connect services countrywide to solar energy

The Guyana Government has signed a Grant Agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a solar demonstration project at the Orealla Health Centre, Region Six, with the ultimate aim of spreading solar power countrywide, particularly when it comes to Government services.

This is according to Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar, who attended a virtual side event of the Fourth Assembly of the ISA on Tuesday where the signing ceremony was held.
During the ceremony, Minister Indar thanked the ISA and highlighted that the implementation of this project will go a long way in making sure that citizens at the grassroots level gain access to clean energy to make their lives easier.
“With the solarisation of health facilities being done in Guyana through funding provided by the ISA, the Government hope to see a similar impact in the lives of Guyanese. It is the Government’s aim to replicate the work being done in many different parts of the country so that we could broaden the scale of impact.”
“This project adds to the efforts the Government of Guyana is already undertaking to deploy solar energy solutions as a means of providing access to clean energy, ensuring energy security for all Guyanese and businesses, and driving a just transition away from primitive sources of energy,” Minister Indar explained.
Indar also expressed the hope that Guyana will see many more such initiatives from the ISA, which would aid in moving the country towards its strategic objectives of a clean and green energy future for the country.
The Minister also noted the importance of Guyana building capacity to customise these renewable energy technologies to the needs of the populace, without having to outsource such services
According to a statement that was released, the objective of the agreement is for ISA to provide technical and financial support to countries who sign on, such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as increase their market access to solar technology.

Additionally, ISA will provide support for resilience building in sectors such as agriculture and health, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and will “foster innovation in business model, finance, technology and implementation modalities.”
Guyana, it was explained, had submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the installation of a 9kWp Grid-tie Solar Photovoltaic System at the Orealla Health Centre, Region Six. This application was approved by the ISA.
“The solar PV system will have an accompanying Battery Energy Storage System of 37kWh to facilitate back-up storage at the health centre for periods of power outage or cloud cover. This intervention is geared at fostering improvement in the provision of health services and an overall increase in socio-economic development within the community.”
Since the return of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to Government, there has been a concerted push towards renewable energy. This has included pushing ahead with the gas-to-shore project, which will use gas from the Stabroek Block oil fields for power onshore.
Besides the gas-to-shore project and various hydropower projects at Kumu falls and Moco Moco, the Government is also bringing back the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP). In fact, bidding was recently opened for the construction of the project, as well as supporting infrastructure to transmit the power to the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).
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. (G3)