UG partners with Suriname, Belgium to host renewable energy symposium
As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, the conversation on renewable energy is ongoing. To this end, the University of Guyana (UG) has partnered with the Anton de Kom University of Suriname and the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, to host a regional symposium on renewable energy, highlighting its role in developing nations such as Guyana.
With development traditionally thriving on the use of fossil fuel, of recent, there has been a consciousness of its effects on the biosphere and existence on earth with
Attendees at the regional symposium on the role of renewable energy in small developing nations
renewable energy being viewed as the solution to work with the ecosystems and not against it.
It was said that developing countries are critical to this shift to renewable energy since they have the opportunity to re-define development as it relates to energy dependence by building societies that are more in sync with ecosystems. Hence, the theme of the symposium is aptly titled: “The Emerging Role of Renewable Energy in Small Developing Nations.”
In this regard, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, in his feature address during the opening ceremony at the Regency Hotel on Wednesday, highlighted Guyana’s unhealthy dependence on fossil fuel.
“Despite possessing considerable renewable energy potential, Guyana sadly is currently heavily dependent on imports of fossil fuel for its energy needs. Renewable energy development will support a sustainable and diversified pattern of energy supply, which is a fundamental component for fostering economic growth and development,” he posited.
Nevertheless, the Minister noted that Government is paving the way for renewable energy development. “In order to support this transition, from the use of imported fossil fuel towards renewable energy sources, the Government is working to ensure that the appropriate framework is in place,” he disclosed.
To this end, Patterson announced that the draft document for the National Energy Policy has been completed and public consultations are to commence soon. He also mentioned that the Energy Transition Road Map for Guyana will soon be finalised, which will detail how far as possible the country can get in terms of achieving 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.
The Minister went on to say that the ‘Green Bartica’ initiative in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and the ‘Wind Farm’ project at Hope Beach, East Coast Demerara, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) are Government-sponsored projects aimed at fostering renewal energy programmes.
“The Development of solar and wind farms are currently being considered as a viable option for the reduction of Guyana’s dependency on fossil fuel for electrical supply and the integration of renewable energy in the short and medium-term,” he stated.
He continued that the Public Sector has been leading the way in the transition to renewable energy with the launch of a programme that will see solar panels being installed at 64 Government buildings.
Additionally, Minister Patterson noted that the establishment of the country’s first bioethanol plant at the Albion Estate offers the opportunity for new commercial scale-enterprises that will transform the transportation sector while reducing gasoline consumption; something which he said Government will be supporting.
Meanwhile, UG’s Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Engagement, Dr Michael Scott, pointed out that while steps have been taken to move towards renewable energy, questions have been raised, particularly among social scientists like himself, in light of the country preparing for oil and gas production.
“I suspect that we will be given an insight possibly as to how both forms of energy may be able to coexist and the extent to which our capacity for developing and expanding our renewable energy sources can be realised,” he noted.
Dr Scott underscored the importance of the Universities participating in the dialogue on renewable energy, noting that this way they can transform the minds of its students.
Moreover, Dr Radjiskumar Mohan – a professor at the Surinamese University – posited that the symposium is a significant forum to raise awareness in Guyana on renewable energy. He noted that through this partnership, both Suriname and Guyana are laying the foundation for the ‘emerging role of small nations in developing nations’.
On the other hand, Professor, Dr Johan Driesen of the Belgium University noted that while both his country and Guyana have the significant potential for renewable energy, Belgium is far more developed in this regard.
“Here you have a lot of sunshine, there is a little bit of wind, you have an enormous potential in bioenergy; in Belgium, we are a small country, we have also bad weather with lots of wind and rain but still we managed to be the number five country in solar panel in Europe – us, a small country with a small population,” he stated.
The professor further outlined that Belgium is also in the top five countries in the region for wind power. He noted that they are building wind turbines in unexpectedly places.
Among the topics discussed during the one-day symposium are transition from petroleum to renewables; investments in renewable energy; Guyana’s search for hydropower facility; the role of universities in promoting renewable energy; scope of bioenergy in Guyana; biomass technology; wind energy and solar power systems.
