Govt signs US$17M pact with Japan to improve electricity supply

Guyana and Japan on Wednesday signed a US$17 million aid agreement that will help in improving the electricity supply to several wards in the capital city of Georgetown.
The project dubbed ‘Introduction of Renewable Energy and the Improvement of Power System’ will see the installation of a PV system and energy management system at the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Headquarters.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL), Albert Gordon, told the media at the signing that he is confident the new system will help GPL to reduce the frequent outages.
“Our top priority as we said is to reduce the number of outages and this particular project will help in terms of improving reliability and losses also improving voltage levels. But it is part of a set of projects we are implementing,” Gordon said.
By 2023, transmission loss could be reduced to about 1,600,000 kilowatts/year through the provision of substation equipment and distribution lines.
Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge commended the timeliness of the contribution by Japan and said it accords well with the Government’s development trajectory.
“The project aims at improving the efficiency of the power system in the City of Georgetown and the surrounding areas by enhancing substation and distribution equipment,” he added.
Minister Greenidge said both the renewable energy and the LED street lamps project will contribute significantly to the green state initiative.
He added that funds would be used for establishing a photovoltaic and an energy management system at the Caricom Secretariat located at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. The agreement was signed by representatives of the Guyana Government and Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Meanwhile, Minister Greenidge praised Japan for assisting his country over the years in several areas including technical cooperation, finance and investment cooperation, and as well as grant assistance.
“These projects, I am happy to note, are not only clear manifestations of the excellent relationship that exists between our two Governments but just as significantly have contributed to the enhancement of Guyana’s social and economic development,” he said.
During the signing ceremony, Japan also donated 4716 LED street lamps from a total of 10,865 to the Public Infrastructure Ministry worth US$1.3 million.
Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry Annette Ferguson welcomed the donation and said some 4000 street lamps will be installed throughout Georgetown in the coming weeks.
The Minister said areas throughout the regions have been identified for the installation process to begin, proving lighting to several communities many of which were without street lights for years.
Ferguson believes the gesture will lend to ensuring safer roads and greater public security.
Guyana formally established diplomatic relations with Japan in 1967.