Guyana: Bartica Households to Experience 25% Reduction in Electricity Rates

Residents of Bartica, Region Seven, are set to benefit from a 25 percent reduction in electricity rates as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to lower energy costs nationwide. This announcement was made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali during a community engagement event on Monday, where he discussed the positive impact of the town’s solar energy project.

According to President Ali, the 1.5-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) farm located at Dagg Point is now supplying power to the Bartica grid. This project represents an investment of over $703 million. The President stated, “The 1.5-megawatt solar PV farm is now supplying electricity to Bartica. This was an investment of more than $703 million.” He emphasized that the project has led to a reduction in diesel consumption and carbon emissions, contributing to lower electricity costs for residents.

More than 5,000 households are expected to benefit from this reduction. The solar facility was commissioned in 2023 through a partnership between the Guyana Energy Agency and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as part of the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL). It was designed to meet the growing electricity demand in Bartica.

The government has reiterated its commitment to lowering electricity costs as part of a broader energy agenda that includes expanding renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on imported fuel. During his address, President Ali highlighted the administration’s dedication to engaging with citizens directly, stating, “We are a government that is continuously on the ground, continuously mixing… We don’t manage from a high place, we manage from the ground.”

The Bartica solar project is part of Guyana’s larger energy transformation strategy under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). This strategy aims to enhance the use of renewable energy while ensuring affordable and reliable electricity. It is complemented by significant projects such as the 300-megawatt Wales Gas-to-Energy initiative, which is anticipated to substantially reduce electricity costs across the nation while bolstering the country’s overall energy security.

Source: snn.gy