Contracts approved to supply hinterland with renewable energy

Several contracts have recently been approved to supply some hinterland regions with renewable energy. Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo made this disclosure during his press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday.

Dr. Jagdeo said these initiatives are in keeping with Guyana’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change to become 100 per cent reliant on renewable energy by 2025.

He announced that within the last three weeks contracts have been approved to provide hydro power in Kumu Village in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine).

“There were some reviews done there so we had to look back at what was planned before and that is 1.5 megawatts at Kumu and to rehabilitate Moco Moco, which would be another 0.7 megawatts which gives you 2.2 megawatts of power,” the Vice President said.

This will be in addition to a 1-megawatt solar farm, which was approved for construction last week in the region.

“Considering the peak demand of Lethem is about 1.1 megawatt, we would have almost double the capacity of what they have all coming from renewable energy, which would allow a massive growth in the industrial estates and industrial plan for that area,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

It was further highlighted that in Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), a 1.5-megawatt solar farm project was approved last week for construction. Funding, the VP noted, is available for the construction of a solar farm in Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight).

A similar project will be undertaken in Wakenaam, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) for 0.5 megawatts of power. Dr. Jagdeo said the Government is also exploring funding for a similar size solar farm for Leguan Island in the same region.

“These are smaller units that would help significantly to bring down the cost of the supply. They do not have batteries so they run during the day. You will run the fossil fuel in the evening and it would extend the hours of service people have in these communities particularly during the day, until we put in units with batteries that can store power,” the Vice President explained.

Dr. Jagdeo pointed out that the $450 million hydropower plant for Kato village is under review due to serious breaches by the contractor. The previous administration, in early 2019, awarded the contract to B & J Civil Works for design, supply and installation of the 150k Hydropower.

Additionally, the VP said the hydropower project at the Amaila Falls which was abandoned, is also being reviewed to be realised. Given Guyana’s abundant water resources, the VP said, hydro-power can be crucial to the country’s energy mix in the future. (DPI)