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Energy efficient stoves among projects for 2016 – GEA
By Jarryl Bryan
The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has announced several ambitious projections for this year. They include developing a hydro power development action plan and to introduce energy efficient stoves.
Head of the GEA, Mahender Sharma
This is according to Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Mahender Sharma, during his address at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s end of year press conference.
According to Sharma, the authority was in the process of getting technical assistance from Germany to update and revise its energy policy, for 2016.
Sharma revealed that there would also be a resident hydropower expert with the agency for the next two years, to design this policy. Nor were these all of the agency’s plans, as Sharma revealed further initiatives aimed at encouraging renewable energy.
One of these was a pilot project of energy efficient stoves, which would be for cooking purposes. Sharma noted that for 2015, ten were installed and he signaled that another 20 would be installed for 2016. He said that this would have particular value for remote schools with dorms.
“This will reduce their wood consumption by 80 percent,” he said. “So the numbers are huge and the (effects) are quite significant, (regarding) smoke reduction.”
“(For) the green (economy) initiative, part of that is us examining solar power light and energy efficiency. So we are looking at (installing) 12 solar power lights and 65 energy efficient lights.”
Sharma noted that ten of these lights were installed along the Soesdyke/Linden highway, though he also revealed that two of the panels and batteries were recently stolen. He urged that further theft not occur, as the lights cost $197,000 each and were there for the community at large.
“Provided that we get everything we asked for, we should be able to install 130 kilowatts of new solar power. This is solar power feeding directly into the grid, without battery support. And we want to utilize existing land space, for example the rooftops of schools and (other) buildings.”
Meanwhile, Sharma also spoke of getting all local hotels to commit to using only solar powered water heaters. They should provide the requisite education for the hoteliers. He said that this as an area that the agency wanted to focus on in 2016. Sharma listed this as a surmountable challenge.
These items, Sharma noted, were subject to budgetary approval. Sharma also signaled the agency’s intention to move towards electric cars versus hybrid cars, due to their improved renewable energy capabilities.
“It has the greatest value for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. We will have about 18 kilowatts installed in our building at Quamina Street. So the net effect of electric vehicles will be offset by renewable energy.”
A hybrid vehicle uses two or more distinct types of power, such as internal combustion engine, in addition to electric motor. This vehicle has been projected to dominate new car sales internationally over the next ten to 20 years.
An electric car is propelled by one or more electric motors. It uses electrical energy stored in rechargeable batteries and users have reported that these cars have a strong and smooth acceleration, in addition to increased efficiency than cars propelled by gasoline.
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