Guyana needs to employ renewable resources for electricity generation

Dear Editor,
The new Government is faced with a defining challenge: How to provide Guyana with affordable, reliable, and secure access to electricity that would enhance the country’s economic growth and wellbeing of its citizens, while simultaneously protecting the environment?
The preponderance of scientific evidence proves that the burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) causes significant environmental damage that threatens the sustainability of the planet. There are urgent calls for governments across the globe to take effective action to address climate change, and many have.
One of the most effective responses to climate change is the use of renewable resources such as wind, solar, biomass, and hydro for generation of electricity. All of these are in relative abundance in Guyana. Many countries and economies already have energy policies and infrastructure in place to transition to 100% zero-emission energy resources.
The state of California is a world leader in this transition. California has an ambitious energy policy: 50% electricity to be powered by renewable resources by 2025, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2045. In and by themselves, these are bold but achievable goals.
What is even more admirable about its energy policy is that California is the fifth-largest economy in the world, with a population of 38.3 million people and a GDP of $3.1 trillion (2019), which places it above the UK and India.
California is not alone in this transition. Hawaii, Norway, Denmark, UK, and Costa Rica, among others, are in the race to 100% renewable resources. During windy days, Denmark generates 100% of its electricity from wind alone. Similarly, during the rainy season, Costa Rica generates 100% of electricity from hydro for several months.
The PPP/C Administration during Dr. Jagdeo and Mr. Ramotar’s presidencies took major steps to move to renewable resources. They started with biomass: GuySuCo co-generation facility at Skeldon uses biomass (bagasse). After years of hard work, the Amaila 165MW hydro-project was on the verge of being executed before being unceremoniously abandoned by the Granger Administration in 2015. This unpatriotic act by APNU+AFC befuddles the rational mind. Who would not want cheaper, reliable, and environmentally friendly electricity? The state-owned electric utilities continue to struggle to meet baseload demand, let alone RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, and SECURE access to electricity.
I am delighted that H.E. President Dr. Irfaan Ali has resuscitated and brought renewable resources to the forefront. The benefits of cheaper, reliable, and secure electricity will be a welcome relief to all Guyanese, and help make Guyana more competitive. President Dr. Ali has once again demonstrated that he is a visionary thinker.

Yours faithfully,
Ash Deonarine