Contract signed for US$22.58M 15-megawatt solar farm in Linden

Linden is leading the way in sustainable energy, as a contract was signed today for the establishment of a 15-megawatt solar farm in the community.
The contract signing ceremony for the engineering, procurement and construction of the US $22.58 million solar farm was held today at the Watooka Complex in Mackenzie, Linden.
The project is a key component of the Guyana Utility Scale Solar PV Programme (GUYSOL) and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who spoke at the event, said it is the largest utility project in Guyana’s history.
“Just imagine, right now you’re not utilising 15 megawatts of power but the demand is growing. Linden has the cheapest electricity rate in Guyana… and as a government, we’re committed to maintaining those rates. We will not increase it. What we will do is find ways of bringing the cost of delivering electricity to the people of Linden downwards. Right now, we’re paying… to subsidise electricity and supply electricity to the people of Linden… with this project in Linden, the cost associated with supplying the electricity will come down, and that’s why we selected Linden,” he noted.
The Prime Minister said communities including Mabaruma and Mahdia were selected for similar solar projects of a smaller nature.
The project in Linden, he explained, will form part of a larger interconnected power generation system.
“On a sunny day, the needs of electricity in Linden will be supplied by this solar farm that would be ready sometime in 2026, and we will be able to rest the generators and save the planet. But that is not all for Linden. In the next development cycle that will start from 2026…to 2030, we will be building out a transmission line to also connect Linden to the Demerara Berbice interconnected system. We will also be funding the Amaila Falls – that is a project that we’re committed to completing— and when the Amaila Falls come on stream, Linden will benefit from that 165 megawatt that will come on stream from the Amaila Falls,” the Prime Minister said.
On this note, he urged residents to get involved with micro-industries to utilise the power which is being provided.
He also said the human aspect of the project will be captured as women will be trained to work and operate these facilities, while youths will be trained from apprenticeship programmes.
A number of residents, including youth from Linden, will be employed as the project comes on stream.