Mahdia to get new generator to end electricity woes – PM Phillips

Acting President Mark Phillips being greeted upon his arrival in Mahdia on Saturday

The government has announced that by the end of September, the frequent blackouts occurring in Mahdia will end as a new generator will be installed to better serve the township.
This is according to the Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips who is performing the duties as President. He noted that the information about the power outages was received on Friday evening from the Mahdia Power and Light Company Inc.
According to Phillips, he acted immediately and began sourcing a new generator to offset the power shortage.
“I want to assure you that we’re looking for a generator now to send into Mahdia before the end of this month, a new generator. Once I find a new generator, it might be this weekend or next week, it will be on its way to Mahdia to deal with this power situation once and for all. That’s my promise to you.”
This is, in addition, to the $362 million solar farm being established in Mahdia. The contract for this project was signed in October 2022 between the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Standby Power Engineering Company (SPECOM).
The solar farm will provide 0.69 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the existing mini-grid at Mahdia, benefitting approximately 3,000 persons.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai,
Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan, and regional officials

During the time of signing, the Head of the GEA, Dr. Mahender Sharma underscored that in addition to offsetting at least 30 per cent of the annual electricity to the Mahdia mini-grid, the solar farm would be able to supply at least two hours of electricity to the community daily, without the operation of diesel generators.
Meanwhile, to further address the energy disparity in the hinterland, residents of Mahdia and surrounding communities in Region Eight have already received solar photovoltaic (PV) home systems from the government.
This is part of the administration’s Solar Home Systems Project, which promises to deliver to 30,000 households in the hinterland and riverine communities,150-watts solar system that will supply electricity.
The prime minister noted that his government will continue to ensure residents of Mahdia and other hinterland areas, feel their presence.
“When they come and tell you better must come, tell them, better is already here because you have a government that is committed to your development,” he stated.