3-megawatt solar farm commissioned at Charity

Jan 17, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) on Friday commissioned the fifth of eight solar projects at Charity on the Essequibo Coast. Altogether, the eight projects are worth US$83.3M.

In a statement via its Facebook page on Friday GPL said that the three-megawatt solar photovoltaic farm at Charity, Essequibo Coast, marks the fifth utility-scale solar facility “to come online under the Guyana Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL) in less than three months.”

This addition will be building on the success of the previously commissioned farms at Onderneeming, Hampshire, Prospect, and Trafalgar, which collectively are now contributing 15 megawatts of renewable energy to the national grid. Charity now coming online brings that total to 18 megawatts of total installed solar capacity.

GPL highlighted that this is, “…reflecting a sustained and coordinated effort to expand clean energy generation and support the Government of Guyana’s vision for a low-carbon, diversified energy future.”

In his address to the audience at the ceremony, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, took the time to highlight the “strategic importance of renewable energy investments for national and regional development, noting that the combined solar facilities at Onderneeming and Charity significantly strengthen Region Two’s power supply and reduce long-term generation costs.”

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar in his address said the Charity Solar Farm forms part of a long-term, carefully planned national programme to modernise Guyana’s power sector and expand renewable energy generation across multiple regions. He made mention that the investment was funded through funds the country has earned via the Low Carbon Development Strategy in partnership with the Kingdom of Norway.

Highlighting that money was not borrowed for the project, the minister said Region Two has received a proportionate share of national investment thereby reducing diesel dependence, while stabilizing the grid and lowering operating costs.

Chief of Operations of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Iván Gaviria, described the project as a long-term investment in reliable energy for communities.

“He said the solar farm will provide dependable electricity to more than 16,000 homes, support schools and communities, and contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s low-carbon development goals—equivalent to removing approximately 100 cars from the road each year. He also noted that the project has created jobs and built technical skills through training and apprenticeship programmes,” GPL said.

Regional Chairman Devin Mohan noted that the Charity Solar Farm represents a landmark investment for the region, as it is a clear demonstration of delivery and progress.

Noting that the region is undergoing tangible improvements in reliability, productivity and service delivery, the expanded and dependable energy capacity will provide energy security and at the same time create opportunities for investment, particularly in agro-processing, manufacturing, and tourism.

Further, Mohan said the project delivers employment, builds local capacity, and positions Region Two as an increasingly competitive destination for investors.

Thanking the government, programme partners and the local communities for their support GPL’s Team Lead Kesh Nandlall reaffirmed the company’s commitment to have programmes and policies that are aligned with Guyana’s national energy priorities implemented.

Nandlall also explained that “the Charity Solar Farm is a state-of-the-art facility built on a 10.8-acre site, featuring 4,928 solar modules, eight solar PV inverters, and a 2.25 MW, two-hour (4.5 MWh) Battery Energy Storage System. The 3 MWp system is capable of delivering up to 2.64 MW of solar power and 2.25 MW from battery storage, providing critical support to the Essequibo Coast grid. A new 13.8 kV transmission line connects the facility to the North Feeder, enhancing grid stability and reliability.”

On a yearly basis, it is expected that the facility will generate approximately 4,600 MWh of clean energy, which will translate to GY$267 million being saved on fuel costs in addition to offsetting nearly 3,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The Charity Farm complements the 5 MWp Onderneeming Solar Farm commissioned in November 2025.

Combined they will contribute eight megawatts of solar capacity and 12 megawatts of battery storage to the Essequibo Coast Grid. The combined capacity of the facilities is expected to generate more than 12,300 MWh of energy annually, meeting over 20 per cent of Region Two’s projected 2026 electricity demand and significantly reducing dependence on imported fuel.

“Funded through the Guyana-Norway partnership with an estimated investment of US$83.3 million, GUYSOL is delivering 33 MWp of solar capacity across Regions Two, Five, Six, and Ten. Upcoming installations in Region Ten will add an additional 15 MWp to the grid, further advancing Guyana’s transition to a resilient, diversified, and low-carbon energy sector,” GPL added.

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• Charity, commissioned, Essequibo, GPL, Region Two, Solar

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