Mahdia Solar Farm to be operational this time next year
The Government has inked a contract for the construction of a solar farm in Mahdia, for which construction is slated to be complete by the end of September 2023.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips earlier today inked a contract with Standby Power Engineering Company (SPECOM) for the sum of GY$ 362,411,200 to construct a solar farm in Mahdia.
The 0.65MW Mahdia Solar Farm is being financed under the Energy Matrix Diversification and Strengthening of the Department of Energy (EMISDE) programme funded by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with Guyana Energy Agency being responsible for project implantation.
Speaking at the contract signing, the Prime Minister spoke on the value of renewable energy for Mahdia residents.
“We are also committed to bring development to the hinterland of Guyana and with this project we are providing electricity of a renewable form to Mahdia. Now in addition to bridging the digital divide, this falls neatly into our low carbon development strategy of 2030.”
Over 2,884 residents will benefit from a cleaner, more reliable and efficient supply of electricity with construction of a new 686kWp Turn-key Solar farm in the Mahdia community.
Electricity for this community is currently being produced and sold to the residents by Mahdia Power and Light Inc. (MPL) from a 1.5MW Diesel Generation Power Plant; however approx. 67% of the MPL’s expenditure is directed to the purchase of fuel which is transported from Georgetown some 200km away.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma highlighted some key features of the solar farm.
“Some of the key features of the farm; it uses about 1.7 acres of land, it will have a perimeter fence, it will have solar powered independent lighting so it will stay lit throughout the day, it will have an irrigation system built in to allow you to clean the panels periodically for maintenance, and this grid forming feature we’re quite excited about.”
In addition to offsetting 30-65% or more of the annual electricity to the Mahdia mini-grid; the Solar Farm would have the capacity to supply electricity to the community in excess of 2-hours daily without the operation of Diesel Generators.
It is anticipated that about 25% fuel saving is likely in the first 5-7 years of operation.
On completion of the construction of the Turn-key Solar Farm technical training will be provided to MPL Inc. along with the appropriate factory warranties and service tools/spares parts.
Aundrea Cambridge, General Manager and Marketing Engineer of SPECOM, at the signing ceremony, provided his personal assurance that the project will be completed before the end of 2023 and on budget.
