THE Government of Guyana (GoG) will soon embrace the role for renewable energy resources with implementation of wind energy in Guyana in keeping with the Green Economy initiative, and could begin rolling out projects from as early as next year.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) has said in a statement that it has undertaken a number of initiatives to provide the policy, regulatory and technical frameworks for development of wind energy according to international standards.

According to the MPI, the recently updated Study of Guyana’s Power Generation System Expansion identifies the role for up to 26MW of wind energy generation capacity from the year 2017; and as part of its policy framework for renewable energy, it is currently in the process of updating the 1994 National Energy Policy, under a Policy Steering Committee, to provide the framework and strategy to guide the transition of Guyana to an economy that is energy-efficient, low-carbon, cost-effective, has indigenous renewable energy resources, and provides for increased energy security.

“Also within this framework, interest in renewable energy development will be specially guided and supported, while a draft of the updated National Energy Policy will be available by the end of 2016, when the policy will be finalised within the second half of 2017 by way of a consultative process with stakeholders,” an MPI statement said.

The MPI said it consulted with an international expert in March 2016 to advise on the environmental, economic, technical issues, requirements and processes that would be necessary for a systematic and professional development of wind energy projects.
This consultancy resulted in outlining clear guidelines and criteria for assisting project developers and all stakeholders (including government departments and agencies) to develop wind energy projects in a sustainable manner, in accordance with international standards. Moreover, the policy, regulatory, and technical frameworks are expected to facilitate the social, environmental and economic sustainability of projects. Further, the MPI wishes to inform the public of the main requirements which are consistent with international standards. These requirements are for prospective wind energy developers in preparation for their projects, which are necessary to lead to Power Purchase Agreement negotiations.

Requirements can be accessible on the following website: http://electricity.gov.gy/:http://publicworks.gov.gy/

Late last year, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson announced that the MPI had granted approval for a US$50M+ project which is being spearheaded by city businessman Lloyd Singh and a number of other investors. Patterson had said that Government was working to sign a power purchase agreement between the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and the developer, Guyana Windfarm Inc. (GWF); and that GWF and GPL would have to reach a pact on the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) before a decision is made pertaining to the wind farm construction at Hope Beach. Minister Patterson explained that the PPA would address critical financial, commercial and technical issues relating to the development, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of the project, including the issue of the price for which the power would be sold to GPL, and how the power is to be delivered.

When asked if there is need for tabling of a bill in Parliament for this transaction before it becomes operational, Minister Patterson said the GWF, when developed and if so licensed by the minister, would be an independent power producer which, under the current law, can only sell power to a public supplier, who in this case is GPL.

The International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), one of the investors in the Hope Wind Farm Project, says the 25-megawatt facility can reduce the country’s fuel bill by US$5 million (G$1B) annually. The project, stalled under the previous administration, is now back on the agenda.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the project would not have a negative impact on its surroundings.