Prime Minister says Government’s energy plans will improve standard of living

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips today (yesterday) said that his Government is committed to
pursuing an energy transition plan that is centred on providing affordable, stable and reliable
energy.
He said that the clean energy mix would also aid in eradicating poverty while improving the
standard of living of Guyanese. Prime Minister Phillips made these comments while delivering
remarks at the third meeting of the Global Commission on People Centred Clean Energy
Transitions. Phillips, who represents Guyana on the Commission, said that his Government has
begun the implementation process of several clean energy programmes, particularly in remote
hinterland communities, which are too far away to connect to the national grid.
He said that community members will be trained in installing and maintaining the technology as
part of an initiative to create jobs. The initiative, he said would also link energy access projects
to productive activities such as ICT, commerce, and agro-processing to allow for greater
community ownership and sustainability. “Specifically, the projects entail the installation of 13
solar PV farms, the provision of 30,000 solar home systems for hinterland communities, the
installation of 20 mini-grids solar PV systems for public and community buildings, the
installation of more than 180 solar PV stand-alone systems for the Government’s ICT Hubs, and
the installation of a three MW grid-connected solar PV system at the Cheddi Jagan International
Airport,” the Prime Minister explained.
Phillips said that the solar PV installations will result in approximately 46.4 MW of installed
solar PV capacity and are expected to be commissioned within two years. He noted that the
Government would continue to push ahead with its hydropower projects including the 165 MW
Amaila Falls project. “Ongoing hydropower projects include the installation of a 150-kW
hydropower station at the Kato Falls that will be completed in 2022; the rehabilitation of the
Moco-Moco hydropower project with an installed capacity of 0.7 MW and the construction of a
1.5 MW hydropower station at Kumu,” he explained.
He disclosed that the Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions brings
together 30 government leaders, ministers and prominent thinkers to discuss clean energy
solutions.  The commission was convened by the Executive Director of the International Energy
Agency (IEA), Dr Fatih Birol, in January of this year.
Today (yesterday), the body launched 12 recommendations for a people-centred transition to
clean energy. The recommendations were divided into four key areas: decent jobs and worker
protection; social and economic development; equity, social inclusion and fairness and people as
active participants.