Guyana, Germany partners in GUY$30M Rupununi renewable solar project

Georgetown: The German Company, Eerepami working in collaboration with the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) and other local counterparts has constructed and installed a 20 kilowatt-peak combined wind and solar system at the Bina Hill Institute, Region Nine.

Honorary Consul of Germany to Guyana, Ben ter Welle said the occasion marked another special day in the relationship between the two countries, and is just an example of the many partnerships in shared ideas and concepts for the development and benefit of both countries.

The German Government supplied about 50 percent of the finance and a number of partnering companies including Solarwatt, and SMS Solar Technology donated components for the project. Solarwatt produced the solar panel.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds officially commissioned the $30M renewable solar energy project recently,  that seeks to improve the development opportunities in Bina Hill and other surrounding communities by the major obstacle to development, widespread shortage of energy resource.

 “I want to extend on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, and on behalf of the people here too, I want to join the captain (toshao) in extending our thanks for the help that we have been getting form this German-based NGO, …I am responsible for energy, so I have a particular interest in trying to bring and encourage others to help in this area in particular,” he said.

Eerepami’s Chairman, Robert Spitzer said that the  project dates back about seven years when his organisation first partnered with NRDDB and installed a one- kilowatt solar system in Bina Hill.

Spitzer said that putting in place of the 20 kilowatt- system is a logical step in keeping with the demand for energy in the district. The old system that would have faithfully served Bina Hill is being transferred to Rewa, another Region Nine village as it will help to make the tourism there a little more eco-friendly. Rewa is community known for its abundance of fish and the Tourism Ministry has been promoting sport fishing in the area.

Spitzer said that this project is the biggest Eerepami has ever done in Guyana and the organisation is thankful to the many partners that helped make it a reality.