Renewable energy is a great investment opportunity in Guyana

Dear Editor,
A wide array of opportunities has arisen in Guyana within the renewable energy sector as the PPP/C Government set out ambitious targets to increase power generated from renewable sources and reduce dependency on fossil fuel.
The country already generates a significant amount of its energy requirement from bagasse (sugar cane-based biofuel) and wood. However, additional opportunities exist in solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, and in other biomass and biofuels. Investments in hydroelectricity in particular have a large number of opportunities for overseas investors, and is regarded as the most viable option for renewable energy supply in the country. Significant amounts of land and water resources are available for such undertakings, with 60 possible sites identified and a potential of 7000 MW of energy estimated from hydroelectric sources.
Solar energy has considerable potential, particularly in the hinterland regions of the country, which currently do not receive a supply of electricity from the national grid, and where buildings are sparsely scattered. Guyana’s climate makes solar energy highly feasible for both individual homes and larger solar projects, and additional opportunities exist for increased manufacture of solar panels to capture solar energy.
The third area of high potential is biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Since taking office on August 02, 2020, our PPP/C Government has demonstrated capacity to mobilise efforts and recovery packages at historically unprecedented levels throughout the COVID-19 crisis. While Government has announced a more ambitious climate commitment as part of its measures to achieve a sustainable and resilient economy post COVID-19, it has taken several decisive actions to move forward with renewable energy.
Previous generations of Guyanese have made contributions to society that have shaped our present life. The Silent Generation grew up recycling and reusing. Baby Boomers are the reason we have Earth Day and legislation like the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. Today, Millennials and Gen Zers are now carrying the torch around the globe. We may feel nostalgic about the past, but it’s good to recognise the benefits we reap from new technologies.
Fuels have been the providers of energy since the 1880s and 1960s. During that time, we went from lighting candle to tablets. Wind and solar energy are the new technology coming to reform the energy industry, and we need to embrace them.
Renewable energy can greatly benefit our communities’ economies. Increasing renewable energy in Guyana will create thousands of new jobs. Wind and solar technicians have been the fastest-growing jobs. Expanding Guyana’s renewable energy through new legislation is essential to create a sustainable future that supports our economy. We may be presuming that renewable energy isn’t comparable to gas or fuel, but renewable energy isn’t the same industry we saw 10 years ago. Renewable options are becoming cheaper and easier to produce, and research advancements are only going to increase. This brings economic opportunity to communities nationally and locally, each generation brought advancements that made these opportunities possible.
We must keep building for the future generations, like those before us did.

Sincerely,
David Adams