Linden’s solar project will enable savings for other programmes – Dillawar

The current $1.7 billion electricity subsidy for Linden may soon see a significant decrease when a US$83 million solar photovoltaic project comes on stream, the head of the programme told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The US$83 million Solar Photovoltaic project is funded under the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation and will capture eight utility-scale solar photovoltaic systems that will have their concentrations in Linden, Essequibo and Berbice. DPI’s article quoted Programme Director for the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL), Amir Dillawar as saying that funds previously expended on energy subsidies for the mining town will soon be freed and potentially will be diverted to other programmatic sectors within Linden.

“This will now free capital, and investments could now be made elsewhere. Rather than the government spending tens of millions of dollars in electricity subsidies, whatever savings are there can be reprogrammed for the people of Linden”, he said.

In December, the Parliamentary Committee of Supply had approved $1.7 billion for the expenses of the Linden Electricity Company, as part of government’s $47 billion supplementary spending. Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the energy sector, said this amount would facilitate the continuation of subsidies identified for the Linden community. The DPI’s article quoted Prime Minister Phillips as saying that the subsidies were part of government’s continued efforts at, “… representation to cushion the increase in fuel prices.” The solar photovoltaic US$83 million fund forms part of the US$220.8 million earned by Guyana through its forest climate partnership with Norway during the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s term in office.

According to the DPI article, the solar photovoltaic fund will extend beyond the cost of installation of the energy infrastructure to incorporate and include specifically targeted community-based women empowerment-centred activities. A similar programme to integrate women into the energy sector was executed by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) in collaboration with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). The GEA’s programme was supported by a loan funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). Another programme being facilitated under the IADB’s fund is an Energy Apprenticeship Programme [EAP], and according to DPI, this project is expected to roll out later this year.