–as gov’t moves aggressively to electrify remote and unserved areas
AS the government continues with its multi-pronged approach to expanding energy infrastructure across the country, and especially to unserved, remote areas, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service Dr. Ashni Singh on Saturday announced to residents of New Forest, in Canje, Region Six, that the government will be providing electricity for the first time to the community through the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) by July of this year.
This development follows community engagements between Minister Singh and the residents of New Forest, during which the lack of electricity was raised.
Minister Singh committed the actions necessary to address this issue. This action comes in keeping with President Ali’s directive that all communities that are in close proximity to the national grid, and have a sufficient population will be provided with electricity. Minister Singh outlined that the necessary infrastructure will shortly be put in place in the area to facilitate electricity to the community.
In addition to ensuring that unserved remote communities receive electricity, the government has also been reiterating its commitment in the cause of advancing renewable energy resources through the provision of solar panel units to various riverain and remote areas in the country including those in the hinterland.
In fact, through the support of the Indian Exim (Export-Import) Bank, the government has already concluded a project, and has been distributing household solar units with the aim of taking solar electricity to 30,000 homes.
The administration has pointed out that solar energy plays an important role in achieving energy inclusivity with Dr. Singh re-emphasizing that the government is open to exploring various renewable energy resources.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment and focus on ensuring that the administration achieves all of its goals concerning its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) as contained in its manifesto.
Renewable energy is a key aspect of Guyana’s low-carbon development agenda, and the government intends to utilise its access to low-carbon development energy resources (Solar, Hydro, Wind, Biomass and Natural Gas) as a means of decoupling its economic growth from using fossil fuels for electricity.
This will ensure that the rising demand is met and greenhouse gas emissions are kept low.
With Guyana’s economy growing at a rapid pace and the critical need for electricity to cater for the increasing demands of the country’s growing domestic, manufacturing and new industries, the government has been working aggressively on putting the infrastructure in place and bringing immediate relief to citizens.
The government through GPL recently signed a contract with UCC Holdings for a power ship to be deployed to Guyana. The power ship is docked at Everton, Berbice in Region Six and is generating its maximum capacity, adding 36 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid. The ship consists of two engines, each possessing 18 MW of power and arrived in Georgetown on May 1.
Beyond the near-term interventions, works advance on the construction of the 300 MW Gas to Energy Project within the Wales Development Zone and administration is also working to advance the 165 MW Amaila Falls Hydro power project and other mini hydro projects in various areas.
These and other alternative energy investments will reduce our energy costs by 50 percent, reliably and adequately meet the energy demands of our expanding economy and unlock the potential of the manufacturing sector.
