– project is part of Govt’s vision to transition to renewable energy – PM Phillips
Officials after the sod-turning ceremony
The sod at Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has been turned on Thursday to signal that construction of a mega solar farm has begun.
That farm is aimed at providing more reliable electricity service to residents of that region, as this project entails installation of an eight-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system that would also include 12MWp of battery storage.
During Thursday’s sod-turning exercise, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who oversees the energy sector, declared that the project forms part of Government’s broader vision in regard to transitioning to renewable energy.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips during the sod-turning event
“This project is part of our energy transition, where we are moving away from traditional fuel sources like gasoline and diesel. By the end of 2025, we aim to bring 300MW of gas-to-shore, and we are also expanding our use of solar, hydro, and wind power,” the Prime Minister disclosed.
Declaring that this shift to cleaner energy would benefit both the environment and future generations, the Prime Minister stressed that the initiative is aligned with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which was initially developed in 2009, and later updated to reflect current energy needs and environmental challenges.
Noting that this solar project would play a key role in meeting Government’s ambitious targets for renewable energy by 2030, the
Prime Minister explained that Government’s strategy includes a mix that would integrate different energy sources, from natural gas to renewable options like solar, hydro, and wind.
Declaring that the goal is to ensure Guyana has a stable and sustainable supply of power for the future, the Prime Minister elaborated on Government’s plan to bring 500 megawatts (MW) of electrical power to the people of Guyana by 2030 — 300MW of which would come from natural gas, while the remaining 200MW would be supplied by renewable energy sources.
A section of the gathering at the event on Thursday
He also emphasized the impact of solar energy in remote and hinterland communities, where traditional infrastructure has been difficult to build.
He said solar power, with its flexibility and sustainability, would provide those areas with a reliable supply of electricity, by which development would be driven and the quality of life for residents would be improved. This, he said, would help propel development of the Essequibo into the future by making energy more accessible to both residents and businesses.
Further, he noted that with an improved and expanded energy supply, Region Two is positioned to see greater investments in areas like tourism, manufacturing, and other key industries; and the supply of reliable energy would make the region more attractive to investors and contribute to long-term growth.
“We are building out the electricity supply in Region Two to increase availability and promote investment in tourism, manufacturing, and other sectors. Essequibo stands to benefit tremendously from this solar investment,” the Prime Minister remarked as he highlighted that the project represents the largest solar initiative in the country’s history.
Beyond increasing energy availability, the project would also focus on job creation and skills development. The Prime Minister shared that 20 local men would be trained as technicians to maintain the solar systems, and women would also be included in the training process for maintaining the system, ensuring broader community participation in the project.
Head of the Guyana Power and Light Executive Management Committee, Kesh Nandlall, has said this solar farm is the largest of its kind in Guyana. He explained that the initiative, funded under the LCDS by the Government of Norway, would significantly enhance energy stability in Region Two.
The GUYSOL initiative would, by 2026, install 33 MWp of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems nationwide, supported by an investment of US$83.3 million. Additional social programmes aimed at benefiting local communities across Guyana are included.
Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva, in expressing gratitude for the project, noted that as the region continues to expand, the growing industries have placed increasing demands on the electricity supply. (Raywattie Deonarine)
