President: Gov’t to facilitate ‘Green Economy’ –plugs clean, renewable energy
President David Granger
President David Granger

AS the world moves away from fossil fuels and although oil prices have been steadily falling, Guyana itself is trying to capitalise on the exploration and development of traditional fossil energy. However, the country will also promote a clean and renewable energy drive for a ‘green economy.’Speaking on the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Interest TV forum, President David Granger said, “We want to expose the entire nation to the possibilities of a green economy, wind, solar power, hydro power. There are a lot of energy-saving devices now, people are using ethanol, electric cars and many others.”
A ‘green’ economy is one that reduces environmental risks and ecological scarcities and aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment. It is closely related with ecological economics but has a more politically applied focus.
In fact, President Granger said the Green Conference and Expo at Parade Ground hosted by the Mayor and City Council is a good example of the possibilities and benefits that can be derived under a green economy.
“We see ourselves as facilitators instead of owners of these enterprises. What we are working towards also is making Bartica a green town, so persons can visit Bartica, I hope by the middle of next year, and see many of these appliances at work for a green Bartica and Green Guyana,” President Granger explained.

WASTE-TO-ENERGY PROJECTS
Turning waste to energy is one of the areas being explored as plans begin for the piloting of a model green economy at Bartica in Region 7. Presidential Adviser on the Environment, Rear Admiral (ret’d) Gary Best had noted that government’s entire approach to Bartica will be greening of the economy, so that it will become a model for the rest of the country.
“The intention is to really utilise all the resources you have right now, including international support to develop Bartica into a fully green economy,” he said.
He also noted that this will encompass the transport sector, waste-to-energy projects in Bartica, energy audits, integrated water management and how to reduce the amount of emissions that come right now from the fossil fuel driven plant that provides electricity in the community.
Among other ideas, Best said, is planting trees “to cool the town” as well as opening eco-lodges and promoting eco-tourism, and green tourism in Bartica. “So the idea is to make Bartica a model green community for the rest of Guyana,” he said.

‘GREEN’ ENERGY’
Many developing countries have been making the gradual shift from fossil energy towards green energy. A major portion of power generation in developed countries comes from green energy. The developed countries encourage and provide subsidies and tax breaks in the development of green energy.
During Minister of Finance Winston Jordan’s 2015 Budget presentation entitled, “A fresh start to the good life in a green economy,” he noted that “over the next five years, we will adopt a more integrated approach to providing for our energy needs. We will examine all sources of energy: fossil fuels, wind, solar, bagasse and of course, hydropower. We will commence feasibility studies for a large hydropower development in the Mazaruni region. This will be done in collaboration with Brazil. We will encourage independent power producers and suppliers to construct energy farms and sell energy to the national grid. We will construct and/or promote the construction of small hydro systems in areas such as Moco Moco, Kato and Tumatumari and will power all of our new townships, starting with Bartica, using alternative energy sources.”

WIND FARM
As such, government has approved the Wind Farm Project and one of the investors, International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), says the 25 megawatt facility can reduce the country’s fuel bill by US$5 million (G$1B) annually. The project includes setting up 10 wind turbines capable of generating 2.5 megawatts of electricity each. The projected cost of the facility is US$42 million.

 

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