• US$22.5M solar project marks milestone in energy independence

In a major leap towards a sustainable energy future, the town of Linden is set to become the national leader in renewable energy development following the official signing of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for a 15-megawatt (MW) solar farm under the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic (GUYSOL) programme.
The signing ceremony on Wednesday marked the commencement of the largest solar farm project to be constructed under the GUYSOL initiative, a flagship programme of the Government of Guyana that is financed through US$83.3 million earned under the Guyana-Norway forest climate services partnership.

The initiative is being jointly implemented by the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The Linden solar farm, expected to be completed by 2026, is poised to serve as a cornerstone of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility and climate resilience. It will be constructed by a joint venture between SUMEC Engineering and XJ Group Corporation, at a cost of US$22.58 million.

Once operational, the facility will generate approximately 20,210 megawatt-hours of clean energy annually, reducing over 17,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year for the next two decades. In addition, the solar farm is projected to save the government an estimated GY$1.2 billion annually in electricity subsidies currently paid to support energy generation in Linden.

A notable feature of the project is the integration of a state-of-the-art battery energy storage system with a 22-megawatt-hour (MWh) capacity. This will ensure a stable and continuous electricity supply by storing excess solar energy during the day and releasing it during periods of low sunlight. The project also includes a full digital transformation of Linden’s electrical grid, transitioning from manual analog systems to a real-time automated monitoring and control platform.

Speaking at the contract signing ceremony, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips emphasized the significance of the project as a testament to the government’s commitment to inclusive national development.

“This government made a promise to improve the livelihoods of all Guyanese, and this solar farm is a testimony to our commitment to the people of Linden and Guyana as a whole,” the Prime Minister stated. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining low electricity rates in Linden and pledged to continue exploring ways to further reduce energy costs for residents.
Prime Minister Phillips also provided historical context, noting that under a previous People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration, Guyana had secured US$220.8 million through its partnership with Norway for renewable energy projects, including the now-shelved Amaila Falls Hydro Project.
“Had we gone ahead with that project, we would have had 165 megawatts of renewable energy by 2017,” Phillips remarked, expressing confidence that with the current momentum, Linden will benefit significantly in the coming years.

Looking ahead to the 2026–2030 development cycle, the Prime Minister announced plans for a transmission line connecting Linden to the Berbice-Demerara Interconnected System. This link will allow Linden to benefit from multiple electricity sources: the solar farm, the anticipated Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, and the Gas-to-Energy project currently under development.
Beyond clean energy generation, the project is expected to bring social benefits by creating opportunities for women and youth, who will be trained to operate and maintain the facilities.
“As we earn more revenue from oil and gas and other sources, you will see more and more investment of this nature,” Prime Minister Phillips concluded.

Once completed, Linden’s solar farm will not only be the largest of its kind in the country, but will also make a significant contribution to Guyana’s goal of generating nearly one-fifth of its electricity from renewable sources—marking a critical step toward energy independence, lower electricity costs, and a reduced carbon footprint.