Guyana airport solar project expected to save US$800,000 annually

A new three-meawatt grid-tied solar photovoltaic plant slated for installation at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport is expected to save approximately US$800,000 annually in electricity costs when completed in June 2027.

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma, said the facility will generate electricity to offset the airport’s daytime energy consumption, while excess power will be exported to the Guyana Power and Light grid.

Sharma told the Department of Public Information on Tuesday that the solar plant is projected to generate approximately 4,544 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, surpassing the airport’s current yearly consumption of about 3,637 megawatt-hours.

The project is also expected to support Guyana’s transition toward cleaner energy by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.

Officials said the facility is projected to generate more than 112 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy over its estimated 25-year lifespan while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 72,000 metric tonnes.

Preparatory work on the project is already underway. Officials said the site has been cleared and several technical and engineering studies have been completed, including geotechnical investigations, photovoltaic layout design, shadow analysis, earthing studies and lightning protection assessments.

Detailed engineering designs have also been finalized, with authorities currently reviewing and approving major components and equipment for the facility.

Major civil works are expected to begin shortly and will include foundation construction, installation of mounting structures, cable trenching, inverter and transformer installation, and works needed to connect the system to the Guyana Power and Light network.

The next phase of the project will involve the procurement and importation of solar photovoltaic equipment and supporting electrical infrastructure.