Georgetown : One of the most important issues that the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) board has to address immediately is that of renewable energy from sources such as hydro, wind, solar, thermal, hybrids and waste.
This was highlighted during the constitution of the new board yesterday, at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, in the presence of both ministers, David Patterson and Annette Ferguson.
“We are committed to the greening of Guyana and you have to move us from where we are…if we can get a 5 or 10% in the shortterm we will be grateful,” Minister -Patterson said.
GEA’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mahender Sharma is currently in negotiations with a wind farm producer. Once such type of investment comes on-stream it will provide 15% of energy needed. Additionally there is the greening of Bartica, Minister Patterson explained.
The board was also advised that in moving the GEA forward, it should not leave employees behind as a happy employee translates to a great agency, therefore attention must be placed on all, from cleaners to the top brass.
“You have to look at energy security as the PetroCaribe deal is no longer available to us. It was good while it lasted, right now we’re procuring fuel from Petrotrin in Trinidad and there are concerns by others states as to whether they can satisfy fuel needs,” Minister Patterson explained.
The issue of fuel, fuel distribution and fuel marking will also engage the immediate attention of the Board, as well as a draft paper on alternatives for fuel supply which was prepared by GEA’s CEO.
“Previously there was a blind eye policy to fuel being brought in for consumption in the mining industry and the outlying regions…this matter is engaging us at a policy level,” Minister Patterson said.
Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson said that the Board was constituted to advance government’s policy and ensure it gets value for money.
Lance Hinds, Chairman of the Board said, “Clearly there is a lot of work to do, we have to get cracking right away, the board is happy with the level of skills on board we shall not fail you, and will match the confidence reposed in us for this appointment.”
Members of the board are Lance Hinds, Nadia Sagar, Mark Bender, Dr. Mahender Sharma, Dr. Vincent Adams and a representative of the parliamentary opposition who is yet to be named by the leader of the opposition.
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