The government of Guyana, with support from the Global Environment Facility and the Inter-American Development Bank, is exploring the potential for wind power generation along the country’s Atlantic coast:

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MOPI) has begun installing four wind measurement stations along the Atlantic Coast at a cost of more than GYD$33.5 million (US$160,000) to determine the potential of this natural resource for the generation of sustainable renewable energy, the government’s Department of Public Information said.

The stations, which are being mounted on towers with a height of 200 feet each, are being installed along the coast at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice), and at Port Mourant, Number 63 Village and Crabwood Creek in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), respectively.

The project is being undertaken by the Hinterland Electricity Company Incorporated (HECI) which falls under the purview of the MOPI.

The Department of Information (DPI) spoke to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HECI, Horace Williams whilst he was conducting an inspection of the work being done on one of the towers on the foreshore at Onverwagt last week.
Williams disclosed that the objective of the installation is to determine whether wind speeds along the coast can provide sufficient power for the establishment of wind farms. This all forms part of the government’s thrust to achieving a transition to 100 percent renewable energy in the power sector over the coming years.

“Our department has done a lot of work with solar energy over the years. We want hydropower and of course we want wind power too in the sustainable energy programme mix,” Williams was quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

He added that “we have to do the assessment using these towers and then we can move on to see how wind can fit into the overall programme.”

Demerara Waves has more information: Wind stations being installed to explore wind generation potential on Guyana’s coast.

[Image: John McIntyre]