Bartica $136.5m ‘g
-extensive data
A $136.5m project to transform Bartica into a green energy community will see the gathering of extensive data followed by the launching of demonstration projects.
The project was inaugurated on Monday in the Cuyuni/Mazaruni town by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. It is being grantfunded by Italy to the tune of US$650,000. The implementing agency and the partner of the Government of Italy is the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre.
Harmon, according to a Ministry of the Presidency press release, said that the government is committed to seeing the town of Bartica become a model of ‘green’ development, not only in Guyana but the Caribbean.
The release said that the data from this pilot will be used for future measurements and predictions for evidence-based decisionmaking.
The project has been divided into two phases. In phase one, which is expected to last around 12 months, all the energy audits will be completed, public awareness exercises carried out and an energy data management centre established. Some small-scale pilots/ demonstrations are also expected to begin. In phase 2, the release said that the information gathered will be used to undertake the demonstration projects and to scale up, where possible.
Speaking outside the Mayor and Town Council of Bartica office, Harmon said: “Bartica must lead the way as a model town in areas of alternative energy including solar, wind and hydropower, solid waste management and economic diversification. It is our vision that this community will serve as an example to other towns and regions across the country”.
He said that the Green Bartica Development and Land Use Plan provides for two inter-related actions; the modernisation and industrialisation of Bartica which must be fuelled by reliable and clean sources of energy.
“When we speak of modernisation we envision retrofitting current investments to meet green economy standards and climate-proofing all investments carried out, within the framework of sustainable urban planning and management, which promotes interconnected green spaces, multiple transportation systems and mixed use development,” he said.
With direct reference to the project, Harmon said that sound decision making with respect to alternative energy in Bartica through private direct investment and the Government of Guyana’s investment is reliant on this data.
“.. People think it is okay to sit in their offices in Georgetown and make decisions, but you have to come on the ground and that’s the basis of gathering baseline data,” Harmon said. Harmon used the opportunity to publicly commend Ajay Bhyro of Four Miles Housing Scheme, Bartica, whose business and home are fully solar powered. Bhyro urged