Guyana expanding bioenergy opportunities

bioGeorgetown: The benefits of bioenergy in reducing the use of fossil fuel, feasible investment opportunities and the formulation of a strategy to harness the country’s bioenergy production potentials were some of the key objectives derived from the Technical Cooperation inked between the Guyana Government and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

                At a “Close-out” Symposium held today in the Boardroom of the Ministry of Agriculture, the gathering was informed of the progress made thus far through the Technical Cooperation Agreement which was inked in August 2007.

                The Agreement which was held under the theme, “Expanding Bioenergy Opportunities in Guyana”, paved the way for projects to be promoted on renewable energy, energy efficiency and bioenergy in the Caribbean.

                Agriculture Minister, Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammyin delivering remarks at today’sevent,alluded to the fact that Guyana understands the importance bioenergy plays and encouraged all to play their part.

                Guyana presently uses some 14,000 barrels of fossil fuel per day, 6000 barrels of which alone goes to supply vehicles on the country’s roadways.

                “While I address you all here today, let me make it clear and give Government’scommitment that while this is the close-out ceremony of the technical agreement, the Bioenergy Programme in Guyana will not stop here but will rather be further expanded,” he said.

                This he said is necessary as the Ministry is working to ensure that Guyana becomes a lead country in agro-energy in the Region.

                Presently agriculture contributes to 23 percent of GDP and according to Dr. Ramsammy, while the exclusion of Fossil Fuel in Guyana is necessary, anyone who does not recognize bioenergy as the answer to the global challenge of eliminating carbon emission is “living the life of ignorance”.

                The country’s bioenergy Policy is currently under review for consideration by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and a team of technical officers to have a blend of 10 percent biofuel to the regular gas.

                “However, if we were to consider a blend for fuel, it must not be from a product that we import…we must ensure at all times the bioethanol we produce come from our own products,” he said.

                In clearing up misconceptions which have been peddling in the media, the Agriculture Minister made it clear that while the country has tremendous opportunity to use sugar cane for the production of bioethanol, the lands which will be used for the latter will be additional lands that are currently available in the intermediate savannah.

                The Minister made a call for the country to stand as a nation and to lead in the bioenergy revolution.

                The gathering was also briefed on objectives and deliverables of the Technical Cooperation by Bioenergy Programme Manager, Dr. ClairmontClementson.

                Dr. Clementsonstated that while there have been some challenges, several factors were achieved including; – the development of viable investment opportunities, transfer of technologies and institutional strengthening among others.

                “The programme will also be looking at short, medium and long term initiatives including the creating ofworking group to review and oversee the implementation of recommendation contained in the Numark Associates Inc. Final Report”, he said.

                The Technical Cooperation is being spearheaded by CARICOM, and Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP), through a collaborative effort ofthe Inter-American Development Bank IIDB), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) with support from the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Guyana Government.