-PM Phillips highlights renewable energy achievements in Wakenaam

RENEWABLE energy appears to be the future, as Government continues to push for the use of solar power in hinterland and small communities in Guyana. Revenue accumulated from the oil sector will be used to drive this change.

This was mentioned by Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips on Friday last, during the commissioning of the 750-kilowatt peak (kWp) Solar Farm in Wakenaam, Region Three.
Prime Minister Phillips, in his speech, said that in the People’s Progressive Party Civic’s (PPP/C) 2020 manifesto, the Party promised to pursue a strategic imperative- the energy mix, focusing on solar, wind, gas, biomass energy and hydropower.

He told the residents of Wakenaam that over the last five years, they have pursued that energy mix. As this continue, there will be even more focus on renewable energy,
PM Phillips related that through the Guyana Energy Agency, and the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc., over 60 microgrids have been developed and delivered to the people who reside mainly in Hinterland communities.

He affirmed that if persons travel in any region, and visit Amerindian communities in particular, they will find a small solar farm and grid that supplies electricity to schools, health centres, police stations and other public buildings.

He said, “we’ve distributed that to over 30,000 households, mainly in the Hinterland, and remote areas, along the riverine areas. Basically, people are off the grid, but they have some form of electricity as we seek to embrace the energy from the sun.”

The Prime Minister underscored that it is at a stage where our scientists, technologists and engineers have mastered the development of technology to harness the energy from the sun, and convert it into energy for daily use in homes, factories and anywhere else this energy source can be used.
PM Phillips recalled that Mabaruma was the first area where a solar farm was set up. In this instance, he said a combination of solar energy, and generator power is used in this village, allowing the full use of renewable energy during the day.

At Bartica, there is a similar approach, with a 1.5-megawatt solar farm installed. In Mahdia, they commissioned a 0.65-megawatt solar farm as well which is used to power that town.
PM Phillips called for communities to create business strategies, and get investors to maximise the use of the excess power available.

He pointed out that recently Guyana was mentioned as perhaps one of the few countries in the world that can feed itself with food from each food group, for its citizens, and all persons visiting.
“We need to take that step forward. We now have to harness or utilise the energy, especially what is available here in Wakenaam, and produce goods with a shelf life that can now be exported to the rest of the world.”

According to the leader, there are lots of things in store in the area of renewable energy.
PM Phillips reminded that the Government was committed to making investments- in keeping with the Low Carbon Development Strategy- in greater usage of renewable energy throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.