The frequent power outages being experienced by residents of Mahdia may soon be a thing of the past with the announcement by government that the township will be getting a new generating set.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release, this was announced by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips who is performing the duties as President. He stated that upon receiving the information about the power outages from the Mahdia Power and Light Company Incorporated, he immediately began sourcing a new generator to mitigate the power issue.
“I want to assure you that we’re looking for a generator now to send into Mahdia before the end of this month, a new generator. Once I find a new generator, it might be this weekend or next week, it will be on its way to Mahdia to deal with this power situation once and for all. That’s my promise to you.”
The DPI noted that this procurement is in addition to the the $362 million solar farm being established in Mahdia. The contract for this project was signed in October 2022 between the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Standby Power Engineer-ing Company (SPECOM). The solar farm will provide 0.69 megawatts of electricity to the existing mini-grid at Mahdia, benefitting approximately 3,000 persons.
At the time the contract was signed, GEA Head, Dr Mahender Sharma, explained that in addition to offsetting at least 30 per cent of the annual electricity to the Mahdia mini-grid, the solar farm would be able to supply at least two hours of electricity to the community daily, without the operation of diesel generators.
Meanwhile, to further address the energy disparity in the hinterland, residents of Mahdia and surrounding communities in Region Eight have already received solar photovoltaic (PV) home systems from the government. This is part of the administration’s Solar Home Systems Project, which promises to deliver to 30,000 households in the hinterland and riverine communities,150-watt solar systems that will supply electricity.
The prime minister also assured that his government will continue to ensure residents of Mahdia and other hinterland areas, feel their presence.
“When they come and tell you better must come, tell them, better is already here because you have a government that is committed to your development,” he asserted.
