GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The Guyana government says it has approved a GUY$885 million (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) investment for the retrofitting of solar photovoltaic systems in 21 Amerindian villages.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips said the investment, expected to benefit approximately 12,700 residents and forms part of the government’s broader strategy to expand access to clean and reliable energy in remote communities.

Phillips told the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, which ends on Friday, that the government is committed to sustainable and inclusive community development, reiterating the administration’s priority to bridge the energy and digital divides, improving the lives of Guyana’s Amerindians in hinterland and riverine regions.

In his address, Prime Minister Phillips referenced the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo in Region 9, which currently has an installed generation capacity of 5.2 megawatts through a combination of fossil fuel generator sets, hydropower, and solar installations

However, only two megawatts are currently in use and Prime Minister Phillis said that this underutilised capacity presents significant potential for the development of agro-processing and micro-enterprise initiatives.

He said that such opportunities could support the growth of small-scale industries and value-added production, particularly in mango and cashew processing within the region.

“I’m using Region Nine as an example to show that we are serious about development in your communities. You are connected to the rest of Guyana through ICT; you are connected to the world, to the future. That is how we improve the delivery of medical services and education. Because you are now connected, you could access universities and colleges throughout the world.”

He said that through this level of connectivity, many individuals from the hinterland have enrolled in the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, while others have already graduated, thanks to the Government’s transformative agenda.