Mahipaul raises alarm over Wakenaam Solar Farm battery malfunction

Concerns have been raised about the Wakenaam Solar Farm following reports that its battery-storage system has malfunctioned, leaving sections of the facility classified as hazardous only months after the project was commissioned in June 2025.

The US$2.3 million (approximately G$460M) battery component formed a central part of the solar initiative, which was designed to stabilise Wakenaam’s electricity grid and store surplus power for use during periods of reduced sunlight. However, reports of an explosion at the battery-storage site have triggered questions about safety standards, system reliability and the level of technical oversight during implementation.

Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul, writing on social media, described the development as a worrying setback for what had been promoted as a flagship renewable energy project. He questioned whether the significant investment has delivered the expected benefits for residents.

“The US$2.3 million (G$460M) Wakenaam Solar Farm battery-storage system which the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) [government] said was designed to stabilise the grid and store excess energy for low sunlight periods has exploded, leaving the area a hazardous site. Has $460M gone down the drain?” the post stated.

The reported incident has fuelled calls for a full technical assessment and public clarification on the extent of the damage, the safety of surrounding infrastructure and the future viability of the project. Observers say the situation underscores the importance of rigorous quality control, maintenance and transparency as Guyana expands its renewable energy portfolio.