Solar power can be an “easy entry point” for alternative energy in Guyana, according to Presidential Adviser on the Environment Gary Best but at least one environmentalist has argued that the backbone of the country’s renewable energy needs should be hydropower.
At a European Union (EU) sponsored panel discussion on climate change on Thursday, Best said that he was not “anti-hydro” but if solar plants are attached to existing fossil fuel-based power plants, costs could be reduced. He said while hydropower can be considered, an “easy entry point is going photovoltaic, going solar.”
According to Best, the administration intends to create a green economy and Bartica would be used as a model. He said alternative energy solutions should be focused on and the use of solar power can be implemented in many practical ways.
However, Executive Director of Conservation International (Guyana) Dr David Singh argued that solar must be part of a blend and an energy solution for Guyana that can be a backbone must be found. “Hydropower must be seriously considered,” he said.
Meanwhile, Director of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Guyana Dr Paulette Bynoe advocated for a mix of energy sources. She argued that in terms of reducing carbon emissions, Guyana has to examine other sectors apart from forestry. She said that the authorities have to start incentivising the right actions, such as importing cars that are less polluting.
Under the previous PPP/C administration’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) which was envisioned to deliver a steady source of affordable, reliable, clean and renewable energy was being pursued. The project was supposed to eliminate at least 92% of Guyana’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and it was said that this would likely make Guyana the world’s number one user of renewable energy by 2017.
The AFHP was the flagship project of the LCDS and was strongly supported by Norway, which has paid Guyana US$190 million so far to protect its forest. US$80 million was set aside as Guyana’s equity in the AFHP, but the David Granger administration has said that currently the cost of financing the AFHP is too high.
While the Granger administration has spoken of a ‘green’ economy numerous times, to date it has not articulated a comprehensive strategy for renewable energy. However, based on statements from various officials, the administration is not keen on major hydropower projects and is choosing instead to focus on smaller hydropower projects and other sources of renewable energy.
Norway has said that the US$80 million was dedicated to the Amaila project and will be transferred back to Norway if it is not used.
Norway has urged Guyana to find “transformational” renewable energy sources that can be realised in the next few years.
