-a website dedicated to fire prevention
LOCAL electrical engineer and renewable energy expert, Horace Williams has learnt  much about his trade in his rise from apprentice in the then Guyana Electrical Corporation (GEC) over two decades ago, to head of the Unserved Areas Electrification Project (UAEP)in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Many such high-achievers have either kept their knowledge to themselves for private profit or taken it with them overseas.
But Williams is a bird of a different feather.
The highly-qualified specialist who hails from suburban Campbelville, is one professional who has decided not to hoard his hard-won knowledge, but to share it with the public.
The OPM staffer is the designer and developer of ‘Wiring Digest’, a recently-launched website chockfull of information on electrical wiring safety and efficient use of energy, most of which he has written himself, and are all available Online, free of charge.
He launched ‘Wiring Digest’ at www.wiringdigest.com earlier this year, and has been expanding its content as more and more local and international Internet users log on to the site as a means of resource.
An old-student of Alleyne’s High on Regent Street, Williams, who describes himself as a hobbyist, said he felt inspired to create the site as a public service tool because of the high incidence of late of fires of electrical origin.
“Throughout 2010,” he said, “there were numerous fires in Guyana, many electrical in nature. There were also a few cases of accidental electrocution. These incidents, to my mind, brought the safety of our electrical systems into focus.
“I felt that creating a website from which Internet users could get relevant information,” he added, “could help them to manage electricity in their homes, or offices, or business places…”
The Williams Initiative, wiringdigest.com, is accordingly dedicated to providing information on electrical wiring methods, standards, and devices to make electrical systems essentially hazard-free.
“The primary mission of this website,” he said, “is to reduce the incidence of electrical fires, and cases of accidental shock among Guyanese by providing relevant information for improved and safe electrical systems at residential, commercial, or industrial levels.”
Additionally, a section titled ‘Green Zone’, provides information on using electricity more efficiently.
Energy-efficient technologies and practices are being featured and promoted on this site to help consumers reduce their electricity consumption.
There is also a section on the site named ‘Ask an Electrician’, via which users who have questions about energy management or conservation can post their questions and receive expert answers as recommendations.
He said, too, that press releases, comments and articles regarding electrical safety and energy efficiency from other qualified professionals will be gladly accepted for posting on this site.
He has placed links to his site on Facebook, and can be contacted at: info@wiringdigest.com
Speaking briefly about himself, Williams said he joined the former GEC as an apprentice, and later enrolled at the University of Guyana where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree.
He subsequently received training in solar energy systems at the University of South Florida, and completed a programme in project management at the University of West Indies (UWI).
He is currently the Engineer in Charge of the UAEP at the Office of the Prime Minister,  a project  funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Guyana, beginning December 2005  and from which thousands in rural and hinterland areas have received electricity.
The following is a list of some of the articles already on wiringdigest.com with related information:

·     How to reduce electrical fire risks
·    12 electrical safety tips you should follow
·    5 signs that something is wrong with your wiring
·    New electricity sector regulations and standards
·    Can lighting and power receptacles be served from the same branch circuit?
·    The importance of having the correct size air conditioning unit
·    A toilet that can save you money.
·    The Energy Star label: What does it mean?
·    Protect your appliances from surge
·    The importance of grounding and bonding

There are many other such articles on the Website.
Wiringdigest.com also has links to the following websites:
·    Guyana Energy Agency
·    Guyana Power & Light Inc.
·    Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy
·    Public Utilities Commission
·    Environmental Protection Agency
·    Caribbean Information Platform on Renewable Energy
·    National Fire Protection Association
·    National Electrical Code Books and many other sites dedicated to renewable energy sources.
Williams stressed that the entire activity is a public service, a not for profit project.
He says however that with the growing popularity of the site, electrical contractors and suppliers may find it useful to advertise therein at a cost that would help to cover the domain and other expenses associated with maintaining the site on the Internet.
Williams relaxes by networking with friends on Facebook, and having an occasional beer with others  after work.
He says he intends to upload  new articles with relevant information to wiringdigest.com  at least once every fortnight.