The United Nations Development Programme has granted some US$250, 000 to the Government of Guyana, under the just energy transition (JET) Seed Funding Initiative, to construct three solar powered charging stations for Electric Vehicles (EV’s) in the capital city.
The project was launched on Monday at UN House in Kingston with funding from the Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Fund
Each station will include a 15-kilowatt solar PV pile module installation which will be linked to a charger capable of charging two electric vehicles simultaneously, which will disperse about 50 kilowatts of power. Those vehicles will receive 90 per cent of battery power in about 45 minutes.
Guyana currently has six sites for the charging of the vehicles, at the Amazonia Mall in Providence, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the GEA office on Quamina Street, the Giftland Mall, Little Rock Suites in Berbice and Big Kiss parking lot in Essequibo.
Additionally, a technical training programme will be introduced to equip local professionals with the skills needed to maintain and “expand the country’s renewable energy infrastructure”. The programme is expected to empower youth, women, and marginalized groups by ensuring equitable access to opportunities in the clean energy sector.
The initiative according to the UNDP will focus on expanding renewable energy capacity and promoting sustainable mobility, with technical and policy support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
These agencies will work in partnership with the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) to implement the programme.
Nadira Balram, UNDP’s Officer-in-Charge, highlighted the programme’s potential impact, stating, “The anticipated impact of this initiative is far-reaching. This initiative will create jobs and new economic opportunities. By equipping a new generation of technicians with specialized skills, we are fostering a workforce that is prepared for the transition to a green economy.”
Eraina Yaw, Head of IOM Guyana, emphasized the importance of human capacity building, stating, “Some of those trained will be equipped to earn a living by training others on these subjects, in a climate where the need for this type of training is increasing.”
UN Resident Coordinator Jean Kamau also underscored the initiative’s role in achieving global climate goals. “By strengthening institutions, fostering innovation, and integrating sustainability in regulations, this programme directly supports Guyana’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the UN Climate Promise. We are accelerating progress on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities),” she stated.
Guyana currently has over 200 electric vehicles with the GEA optimistic that more will be used soon.
Two hundred EVs is a low figure considering the thousands of cars entering Guyana each year. Critics have said that the government has not been doing enough to promote EVs.
Furthermore, only five per cent of Guyana’s energy needs is currently coming from renewable resources.
