Currently, just about five per cent of Guyana’s energy needs are met by renewable resources but this is set to increase dramatically in the coming years, according to Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips.
“It is just about five per cent of our energy needs at this point as I speak but that is going to increase tremendously over the next year…2025/ 2026,” the Prime Minister said at a press engagement on Monday.
He highlighted, “Soon we will be signing another one for a 15 megawatt (MW) solar farm in Region 10.
“The government always has the intentions of doing more but everything needs to be financed, you need to have money to finance those projects, we are at a stage now where we have an increase in revenue from the oil stream and as we promised the people of Guyana, we will use this revenue to improve the lives and livelihood of the people.”
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips with other officials at the end-of-year engagement (Photo: OPM/ January 7, 2025)
Key achievements in renewable energy in 2024 include the commissioning of the Moco Moco hydropower plant in Region Nine.
The 0.7 MW Moco Moco hydropower plant was commissioned in December 2024. And soon, the Kumu 1.5 MW hydropower plant will also be commissioned. Together, these plants will add 2.2 MW of hydropower to the grid, benefiting Moco Moco, Kumu, Quarrie, and surrounding communities. These hydropower plants are expected to reduce fuel costs and improve power reliability.
Then there is the 0.67 MW solar farm that was commissioned in Bartica, Region Seven.
“It is the first of its kind there and they put at least 0.65 megawatts into the grid,” Minister of the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar stated.
Indar has oversight of the energy sector within the Office of the Prime Minister. He was also at Monday’s press engagement.
Indar further revealed that significant progress was made with the 30,000 solar home systems programme last year.
With the solar systems distributed to dozens of households, some 4.8 megawatts of power were able to save 1.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This programme has transformed access to energy in hinterland regions.
“When we say that we are going to bring power and development for everybody it is here,” Minister Indar stated.
He further revealed that a six MW solar PV farm in Leguan, valued at $292 million, is set to be commissioned by April 2025 while the US$2.3 million 750 kilowatt solar farm in Wakenaam will be operational by late January 2025.
Already, contracts have been signed for solar farms in Berbice and Essequibo, with plans for a 15 MW solar farm in Region 10.
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