PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, outlined the Government’s strategic vision for advancing solar and renewable energy initiatives during his keynote address at the AmCham Solar Technology Energy Mixer on Tuesday evening.
The event, organised by the Energy Sub-Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana, took place at the Guyana Marriott Hotel and focused on “Advances in Solar Technology, Opportunities for Guyana.”

In his speech, Prime Minister Phillips emphasised the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and achieving energy independence. “The Government is committed to advancing solar technology throughout Guyana,” he stated. “Sustainable development will embrace greater use of renewable energy. As we progress further and as we embrace smarter use of energy, and smarter consumption, the reality is we will move towards greater use of renewable energy.”
The Prime Minister highlighted Guyana’s comprehensive energy strategy, which includes a mix of solar, wind, and hydropower. “We made a commitment that we will have energy from hydro and we will have energy from oil and gas, but we will, as a Government, continue to support the expansion of solar energy and technology.”

He further explained that as the country transitions to more sustainable forms of energy, the resulting cost savings would be used to bridge development gaps and improve the lives of all Guyanese. Prime Minister Phillips detailed recent government initiatives, such as substantial funding and work by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) on solar mini and micro farms, and the delivery of over 30,000 household solar systems to hinterland communities.
Fiscal incentives were also highlighted, including VAT and import duty exemptions for renewable electricity equipment and solar appliances, a one-off two-year tax holiday on corporation tax for importers of solar energy investment items, and changes to the Wear and Tear Schedule of the Income Tax Act allowing for capital expense write-offs within two years.

The Prime Minister emphasised that achieving these ambitious energy goals requires active participation from industry leaders, stakeholders, and the private sector. “The Government alone cannot achieve these ambitious energy goals,” he said, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing renewable energy, particularly solar technology.
The event was attended by Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr. Mahender Sharma, along with members of AmCham Guyana, industry leaders, and key stakeholders within Guyana’s energy sector.