– $4.7B already expended in energy sector
AS of the end of June 2019, the sum of $4.7 billion was expended in the energy sector, of which $2.4B was invested in reducing overall loss of electricity nationwide, under the Power Utility Upgrade Programme.
This is according to the Finance Ministry’s 2019 Mid-Year Report where it was noted that government’s commitment to a ‘green economy’ continues to guide its energy vision as was reflected in the $8.9B budgeted for 2019.
These funds also include several initiatives to increase renewable energy generation and improve energy efficiency.
Under this programme, a total of 361.1 kilometres of the low and medium voltage distribution network in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six were rehabilitated.
According to the Finance Ministry’s report, additional efforts, in the first half, to reduce electricity losses included the installation of 21,735 smart meters across the country.
Turning to renewable energy, the report stated that in the first half of 2019, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems were rehabilitated at La Parfaite Harmonie and Long Creek primary schools, while solar PV systems were installed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliament Buildings.
A further 80 government buildings will be outfitted with solar PV panels by the end of 2019.
To undertake this exercise, the report noted that the 80 buildings were grouped into 10 lots, of which eight lots were awarded in the second quarter of 2019.
Presently, the contractors will be mobilising and works will commence in the second half of the year.
Meanwhile, with regard to hydropower, the mid-year report stated that the construction of the 20 kilowatt plant at Hosororo, Region One, was completed in the first half of 2019, and is now awaiting the end of the dry spell to commence final testing, with commissioning expected by the end of 2019.
Further, the Mabaruma 400 kilo-volt-ampere solar PV farm is still experiencing several technical challenges, resulting from defective installation.
It was noted that while the contractor has responsibility for rectifying these faults, government is considering alternative options to ensure that the farm is operationalised before the end of the year.
Under the Hinterland Electrification Programme, the Finance Ministry report stated that the contracts for the extension of the electricity network at Orealla/Siparuta and Lethem were recently awarded, with works expected to commence in the second half of 2019.
“Delays in the procurement process have caused setbacks for the extension of electricity supply in Port Kaituma, Oronoque and Moco Moco but these activities are expected to be completed by the end of 2019. With respect to reducing Guyana’s carbon footprint, a contract for the installation of 400 stand-alone solar powered street lamps was awarded in the first half of 2019,” the report stated.
These lamps will be installed, in the second half of 2019, across the 10 administrative regions in areas including White Water Village, Region One; Cotton Field, Lima, Queenstown, Region Two; Wakenaam and Leguan Islands, Region Three; St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Kuru Kururu, Region Four; Moraikobai Village, Little Biabau, Mora Point, Region Five; Nos. 65 and 66 Villages, Region Six; Karrau Village, Region Seven; Paramakatoi Village, Central Mahdia, Region Eight; Aishalton and Moco Moco villages, Region Nine and Ituni and Kwakwani, Region 10.
These installations, in addition to the 100 LED street lamps to be installed in various housing areas, will also improve security and night-time visibility.