Government is seeking a suitable firm to develop a generation system utilising an appropriate renewable energy technology, or a combination of technologies under a Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) structure to supply electricity to the Bartica grid under a negotiated and agreed power purchase agreement.Renewable energy is generally defined as energy that comes from resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.
According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, consistent with Government plans for a green Bartica, the Ministry is soliciting competitive proposals from suitable firm to promote this venture.
The Guyana Power & Light Inc (GPL) is the electricity service provider in Bartica.
The electricity supply in Bartica is currently produced exclusively by diesel-powered thermal generators. The peak demand in Bartica is 1.8 MW as of December 2015, with an energy consumption of approximately 11,760 MWh annually.
Proposals for the generation system shall utilise one or more of the following eligible renewable resources: solar energy, wind energy, hydropower energy, bio-mass energy, waste-to-energy or tidal energy. The facility shall produce at least 2,140 MWh of energy per annum, with up to 1.5 MW in capacity.
Following a call by President David Granger earlier last year to make Bartica a model green town, Presidential Advisor on the Environment, Rear Admiral (Ret’d ) Gary Best and his team last month introduced an ambitious “Bartica Green Plan” to the Regional Democratic Council and the Interim Management Committee.
The plan covers a holistic approach to sustainable economic growth in the soon-to-be township which will be implemented collaboratively through the Office of Climate Change, the Ministry of Communities, regional officials of Bartica, residents and other stakeholders.
During his presentation of the “Green Bartica Plan”, Best said both short and long-term plans are aiming to turn Bartica into a model green town by April 2016.
While noting that the strategy crafted by his office, he said significant features were drawn from the Bartica Development Plan, and ‘Project: Restore Guyana ‘produced by Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh.
The master plan was launched under the theme “Let’s make Bartica clean, green and pristine”, which was proposed by residents.
GREEN PATHWAY
Its main objectives are to create a climate resilient economy and to establish green pathway for the foundation of a new Guyana, which will result in reducing overall carbon footprint in agriculture, fisheries, water, forestry, waste, manufacturing, transport, construction, tourism and other sectors.
Priority will be given to creating green jobs through green growth, for example, with the establishment of wind farms there will be a need for skilled persons to install and maintain them, thereby creating jobs, and providing a renewable source of energy; all while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Other benefits such as increased equality, fairness and social cohesion are also expected to accrue.
Meanwhile, Marlon Bristol, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist told residents that they could look forward to benefits such as an enhanced waste management system and cleaning of the immediate surroundings in the community.
According to Bristol, engineers will soon embark on closing the landfill site which has been a health hazard and eyesore for many years. While this is being done, government will start work on a new landfill site at Four Miles. In the coming weeks, waste receptacles will be placed at strategic locations throughout the community and a massive education exercise on proper waste disposal will be held.
Plans are also in train to develop ten acres of land as a “green park” with paved walkways lined with trees and equipped other recreational facilities, including Wi-Fi technology. Further, components of the plan will be promoted through various forums in order to inform and solicit a feedback from residents. In addition, early next year there will be an official launch of this plan with a “Bartica App” which will give persons in the Diaspora a chance to contribute.
Following the presentation, Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford commended the team for their efforts saying that regional officials are committed to making it work. While acknowledging that the task ahead is formidable, Bradford believes that turning Bartica into a green town must first begin with the changing of mind-sets.