Bartica to benefit from installation of solar photovoltaic system

The Ministry of the Presidency (MotP), through the Office of Climate Change, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Thursday July 13, 2017, launched the Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP) in Bartica, which will see the town benefiting from the installation of a 20Kwp grid connected Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system at the 3-Mile Secondary School along with the installation of energy efficient lighting, as well as light-emitting diode (LED) street lighting. The Partnership, which is being funded by the Government of Japan to the tune of US $15 million, supports countries in advancing the process of improving energy security planning for adaptation to climate change.

Speaking at the launch of the project at the office of the Mayor and Town Council, Head of the Office of Climate Change within the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms. Janelle Christian said that the Partnership comes at an opportune time as it helps to advance the vision of President David Granger for Bartica to be developed as a model ‘green’ town.

“The J-CCCP project and the support that Guyana has been benefiting from and continues to benefit from is set within the framework of the ‘Green’ State Development Strategy (GSDS)… The pilot initiative that will be implemented in Bartica is a direct response to the President’s pronouncement on Bartica becoming the first model ‘green’ town,” she said.

Ms. Christian noted that the GSDS provides a framework for national development plans and policies for climate action. She added that the implementation of the J-CCCP supports the Government’s commitment to transitioning to the use of 100 per cent renewable energy in public institutions by 2025.

“These initiatives have to date, through budgetary support and also resources that we have been able to leverage through our development partners, have already started taking effect. The Project here in Bartica is not unique to Bartica but it is part of that national programe where we would’ve already seen through the leadership of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) some schools being installed with photovoltaic system (PVs).  Further, under the Ministry of Communities, I believe as part of the initiative for all of the townships, there is and has been budgeted resources for installation of LED street lighting and we felt that those projects must align with those national plans with respect to our achievement and implementation of those commitments that we have made,” Ms. Christian said.

United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Mikiko Tanaka said that the launching of

the Partnership is in line with Guyana’s ‘green’ development trajectory. “The resources will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing Guyana’s and the other seven beneficiary countries’ ability to respond to climate risk and opportunities,” she said.

Ms. Tanaka pointed out that the Partnership is part of the global effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs) as it relates to the climate action.  “The achievements from this project would ultimately support Guyana’s pursuit of evolving into a ‘green’ state, as it fosters a platform for collaborative efforts… the Project allows for the adaptation and implementation of mitigation and adaptation technologies, which gives Guyana the flexibility to identify, develop and implement demonstrations pilot projects that seek to address significant climate related ramifications,” she said.

Meanwhile, Programme Specialist at the UNDP, Dr. Patrick Chesney said that the Partnership is an important response that emphasis partnership between a developed country and developing countries.  “This is an ambitious response, and we must match that ambition with our energy with our passion and with knowledge.  Guyana is the second greenest country on this earth, so the move towards establishing a green state is simply putting in place the architecture, the mechanisms and ensuring that all we do is contributing to making and keeping Guyana green,” Mr. Chesney said.

Additionally, Mayor of Bartica, Mr. Gifford Marshall praised the organisations for implementing the Partnership in

Bartica, which he said demonstrates the Government’s interest in developing the township of Bartica.

“It is most importantly a visionary council that was elected by the people for the development of Bartica, we are committed to serve, we were elected to serve and that’s what we will do, and these projects of course will bring about major transformation to the township of Bartica,” Mr. Marshall said.

The event was also attended by J-CCCP Project Manager, Ms. Yoko Ebisawa several representatives of the UNDP, Office of the Climate Change and regional officials.

The Partnership is part of a regional initiative that was officially launched in January 2016 and has been implemented in Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and now Guyana. (GINA)