Prime Minister Mark Phillips spoke of the importance of enhancing electricity production for all Guyanese and said that yesterday’s sod-turning ceremony for a five-megawatt solar farm installation at Onderneeming, Region Two, marks a major step in Guyana’s renewable energy transition.
A release from the Prime Minister’s office said that the solar farm is part of the larger Guyana Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic (GUYSOL) Programme and will include a 7.5-megawatt battery storage facility at the Onderneeming site.
This installation is a component of a broader 33-megawatt solar power initiative across Guyana. The programme also includes an additional 3-megawatt at Charity and installations in Berbice and Linden, totalling 25 megawatts of solar power. Furthermore, a 22-MWh Battery Energy Storage System will be installed at the Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI) Substation.
During his remarks, Phillips traced the origins of the funding for the project to an agreement signed with Norway under Guyana’s commitment to environmental preservation.
“Years ago, we secured US$250m from Norway to support our environmental efforts. Part of that funding, originally intended for the Amaila Falls hydropower project, is now being used to support renewable energy projects like this solar farm”, he said
He said that although the project was delayed due to political opposition, in the interim, the funds have been redirected to accelerate the installation of solar energy systems across the country, which will see 33-megawatts of solar power, including the 5-megawatts at Onderneeming.
Phillips, the release said, adverted to Guyana’s broader energy strategy, which seeks to provide 500 megawatts of power through a combination of natural gas, solar, hydro, and wind by 2030.
He said that the “project is part of our commitment to build a cleaner, more diversified energy supply for all Guyanese,” while adding that 300 megawatts will come from gas to energy. The remaining 200 megawatts will be generated from renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydropower.
“This is a project that I will refer to as just energy transition as we move away from using non-renewable to greater use of renewable energy, every community will benefit, in the sense of having the electricity to propel the development of the community, the economic and social development.”
The release said that the project includes significant workforce development initiatives, which the Prime Minister emphasised “entails the training of some 20 youngsters as technicians, and we also want to train women. Some 50 women will also be trained as part of this project to do our maintenance work”.
He stressed the importance of community involvement, stating, “We’re ensuring the community is involved in the project by training and by getting employment as we move forward with the installation and the operation of the project”.
He also said that this solar farm is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025, contributing to Guyana’s goal of increasing renewable energy usage and improving electricity access across the country.
“We’re proudly delivering on these projects throughout the length and breadth of Guyana… Better is already here, and you’re benefiting daily from new projects and programmes designed and implemented by the PPP/C Government for the people of Essequibo and the people of every region throughout the length and breadth of Guyana”, he declared.
