Aurora Gold Mine commissions US$100M solar farm

Apr 10, 2026 News

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…to generate 63 million kWh annually, cut emissions 47,000 tonnes  

(Kaieteur News) – Aurora Gold Mine- now fully owned by Chinese firm Zijin on Wednesday commissioned an over US$100M solar far project at its Region Seven operations.

Hailed as a major milestone in Guyana’s green energy transition, the solar farm features a combined 49.4 MW solar system and 82 MWh of battery storage and is expected to generate approximately 63 million kWh of clean electricity annually, thus reducing diesel consumption by about 18 million litres  and cut carbon emissions by roughly 47,000 tonnes each year.

Speaking at the commissioning Prime Minister, Mark Phillips said the newly commissioned farm represents a major step in Guyana’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy. He described the project as a landmark investment that will significantly reduce reliance on diesel while supporting the government’s national push towards renewable energy.

The solar farm is one of the largest in Guyana. It features an advanced system that integrates power generation and battery storage in real time, ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply. Its commissioning marks a transformation for the Aurora Gold Mine, which previously depended entirely on diesel-generated power.

The project created approximately 100 local jobs during its construction, providing Guyanese workers with hands-on training in renewable energy systems, battery storage, and microgrid management, the DPI reported. “These are skills that will remain relevant as Guyana continues to expand its use of renewable energy,” Prime Minister Phillips emphasized according to DPI.

He noted that the initiative aligns with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, demonstrating how clean energy solutions can be successfully integrated into industrial operations, even in hinterland and remote locations. The prime minister also pointed to the commissioning of a solar facility at Charity earlier this year under the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme, which forms part of a broader effort to expand solar energy across multiple regions. “These investments are complemented by grid upgrades, battery storage, and additional energy projects aimed at reducing costs and improving reliability across the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang congratulated Aurora Gold Mine on the successful completion of the project and also paid tribute to all engineers, technicians and workers whose hard work made this project possible. “This project is another important achievement of China-Guyana cooperation in clean energy and mining. It also marks a solid step forward for Aurora toward low-carbon transformation and green mining development. Green mining is, above all, about changing the way development is pursued. Modern mining must move away from the old model of high consumption and high emissions. It must strive for resource conservation, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability. A modern mine should create not only economic value, but also environmental value and social value,” the Chinese envoy stated.

She noted that for a long time, operations in remote mining areas have relied heavily on diesel power, stating that this has resulted high energy costs and considerable environmental pressure. “Today, that is beginning to change. With the full commissioning of this project, most of the mine’s energy demand can now be met by clean power. Diesel use and carbon emissions will be significantly reduced. And power supply for the camp will also become more stable and reliable. This is a concrete example of the vision that, lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. It is also a vivid demonstration of how Chinese technology, Chinese experience and China-Guyana cooperation can contribute to greener development. In this sense, the project is not only an energy project. It is also a project for transformation, for sustainability, and for the future.”

At the same time, the Chinese ambassador said this project reflects the deepening practical cooperation between China and Guyana. “In recent years, our cooperation in infrastructure, energy, mining and green development has continued to expand. We are pleased to see that more and more projects are generating economic benefits while also advancing the green transition, improving the environment, and laying a stronger foundation for sustainable development. We hope this project will serve as a model and an inspiration. We hope it will encourage more enterprises to prioritize green mining, adopt clean energy, improve production methods, raise resource efficiency, and fulfill their corporate social responsibilities.”  Looking ahead, China stands ready to work with Guyana and with all partners to advance green development and build a future that is cleaner, more sustainable, and more prosperous for all.

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• Aurora Gold Mine, Mark Phillips, solar farm, Yang Yang, Zijin

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