Guyana will have 50 megawatts (MW) of solar power online by the end of 2026, including electricity supplied through 37,000 household solar systems installed in hinterland and riverine communities, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has said.
Phillips explained that the figure reflects the combined output of solar farms, community solar mini-grids, rooftop systems on public buildings, and household installations rolled out nationwide since 2020.
“By the time we reach the point of commissioning [another solar farm in a matter of days], it will be about 50 megawatts,” Phillips said on the Starting Point Podcast.
He said the programme includes 37,000 household solar systems distributed mainly in off-grid hinterland and riverine areas, with one system provided per household. In addition, community solar projects have been installed in Amerindian villages to power schools, health centres and police stations.
Phillips said solar farms are in the mix across several regions, including Regions Two, Five, Six, and Ten, with a major 15-megawatt solar project in Linden to be added once commissioning is completed. According to the Prime Minister, just as the government plans to reduce the cost of power for persons who will receive gas-fired power, it is also working to assess and implement reductions for communities that use solar power.
In the background, the solar rollout forms part of a broader energy transition agenda, where renewables are one component. The government has also advanced two small hydro projects in Lethem and is pursuing the Gas-to-Energy project, which is expected to substantially replace heavy fuel oil, currently the main source of electricity generation, with natural gas. That shift is projected to significantly reduce emissions while lowering the cost of power generation for consumers.
Gas-to-Energy is widely viewed as the cornerstone of the transition plan, creating fiscal space to support further investment in renewable energy while catalysing industrialisation and economic diversification. Together, these initiatives are intended to expand access to energy and reduce emissions.