25,000 solar units to be procured for hinterland communities

By Editor On Aug 20, 2020, Source News Room - https://newsroom.gy/2020/08/20...terland-communities/

Solar panels installed on one of the public schools in Guyana.

The new PPP/C Government is pursuing renewable, clean and cheap energy. Through a partnership between the Governments of Guyana and India, approximately 25,000 solar units will be procured for hinterland communities.

This was announced by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill during a press briefing Wednesday.

“Hinterland electrification has been and continues to be a priority for the PPP/C Government,” he stated.

Minister Edghill said that the project was accelerated following discussions between President Irfaan Ali and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana K. J. Srinivasa, along with the officials from the Ministry of Public Works.

“Very shortly the final programme will be announced because it is currently being designed where we can see household units possibly 20,000 to 25,000, being procured which will speak to an upgrade from 65 watts to 100 watts for our brother and sisters in the hinterland communities.”

The Public Works Minister explained that the Government will be working assiduously to realise this project because, under the former Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the programme was not moving ahead as expected. 

Minister Edghill also reported that when the PPP/C Government entered office, it discovered that the seven areas served by generator sets under the Hinterland Electrification programme were not adequately maintained and serviced. 

An immediate request for $281Million was made to carry out much-needed repairs to these generators.

“There was a lack of proper maintenance, and as a result, electricity at Matthews Ridge was down for several months last night. I checked personally with residents of Matthews Ridge who have reported receiving power because the generators are up and running because of interventions that were made.”

The Minister said communities of Mahdia, Lethem, Port Kaituma, and Mabaruma could experience difficulties because of the lack of maintenance of these generator sets.

“This is something that the Ministry will have to pursue almost immediately,” Bishop Edghill assured. 

In its manifesto, the PPP/C Government has pledged to provide cheaper, more reliable electricity. 

“Energy is key for the economic growth of Guyana and improved quality of life for all Guyanese,” the manifesto outlined. (Extracted and modified from DPI)