…gov’t pumps $600M into energy diversification
…new mayor sees economic spin-offs

NEWLY-ELECTED Mayor of the town of Mahdia, David Adams says the town’s economic development will be boosted once its electricity supply increases with the establishment of a solar farm at the Potaro-Siparuni Town.

In the 2019 budget, government has allocated a sum of $600M for the Energy Matrix Diversification Programme which is being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
Among the projects budgeted for under the programme is the installation of mini-grid systems at Mahdia as well as two other towns; Lethem in the Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu Region and Bartica in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region.

”Yes we are ready for the solar farm project, with it, our power supply would increase to 24 hours,” Adams, who was elected on Friday, told the Guyana Chronicle. He said that residents have been looking forward to the project’s fruition. At the moment the community receives power from midday daily until 08:00hrs the following morning.

“It’s a very good thing, ever since electricity was introduced to Mahdia it has always been rationed,” said Carol Baptista who grew up at the town. She said that since the area is now a town, “it’s time for improvement.” She said currently, areas which receive electricity are Mahdia Plateau, homes in the vicinity of the airstrip, parts of the nearby village of Campbelltown and Republic Avenue.

The project, among other listed under the ministry’s diversification programme, will see improved reliability and energy security as well as improved capacities. Government will seek financing for the project from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
At the moment, the $264M mega-farm at the town of Mabaruma in the Barima Waini Region at Khan’s Hill is being prepared for switching on as synchronisation of the system with the power grid there is being finalised by the contractor. That project is the first of its size in Guyana.

The project will see power being provided to the town and the surrounding areas by the Mabaruma Power Company for approximately 17 hours daily benefiting over 700 residents and commercial consumers. The solar farms, in addition to powering the towns, will reduce the power company’s reliance on fossil fuels.

According to the National Energy Policy of Guyana (draft) green paper, the government intends to provide support and facilitate the Hinterland Electrification Co. Inc. (HECI), and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to expand and improve its programmes in rural electrification with an emphasis on micro-grids, solar photovoltaic systems with batteries among other forms of infrastructure. The document states that government will support the development of independent micro grids by hinterland communities.

It was noted too that programme support will prioritise electrification for productive uses and key social services. The main sectors include health, education, water supply and agriculture.